The Elder's Right to Sight Collaborative: a new model of eye care delivery for the elderly.
Vision and visual impairment have a significant impact on older adults' daily function and safety within their homes and communities. Yet many do not seek out the necessary care to address their visual health. Many older adults want to age in places that require a supportive environment to compensate for changes in abilities and to promote healthy aging and quality of life. The Elder's Right to Sight Collaborative (ERTS) was established to gain insight into the role of the environment in maintaining the functional independence and safety of older adults with visual impairment and to understand the barriers to obtaining the necessary eye care services. The ERTS provides education, screening, environmental assessments, and simple tools to complete daily activities. The screening results indicate significant need for eye care services to this population. However, service delivery needs to be flexible to meet the needs of this population. A team approach to address education, eye care services, rehabilitation, environmental assessment, and social services is needed. Through education, accessible services, rehabilitation, and environmental modifications, a significant impact on an older adult's independence and quality of life can be attained.
New England Eye Institute, Department of Community Health, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA. chu@neco.edu
Y K Gary
YK
Chu
Jennifer
J
Kaldenberg
Karen
K
Huefner
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010348:Patient Care Team; D028701:Patient Rights; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000628:therapy*