AzTAP: AzTAP’s Initiative on Aging:Assistive Technology and Aging in Place
AzTAP’s NEW INITIATIVE ON AGING: Assistive Technology
Article 4 - Can You Hear Us Now? Assistive Technology for Hearing
Loss
Randy Collins, M.Ed
Training and Outreach Coordination, Arizona Technology Access Program
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Assistive Technology for Low Vision: I See What You Mean!
Jill Sherman-Pleasant, MA, OTR/L
Project Director, Arizona Technology Access Program (AzTAP)
Impaired vision in older adults is often associated with macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy. Often referred to as "low vision", it means the person has some degree of usable sight, but there is typically a significant loss of vision that cannot be corrected by surgery, glasses or medication. Individuals with low vision may experience one or more of the following problems: decreased ability to see detail and read small print, difficulty discriminating colors, glare sensitivity, and slow adjustment to changes in light intensity. Vision impairments in older adults often place people at higher risk for falls, limit independence and result in diminished quality of life.
There are four main strategies that can be used to help a person cope with low vision: (1) use of increased lighting and higher contrast; (2) enlarge/magnify objects; (3) add sound or speech; and, (4) use of tactile markings.
Lighting can be a critical factor for enhancing existing vision. Increased lighting can support a person's ability to read, do activities requiring fine detail such as needlework and help to minimize falls. Adding more object and task specific lighting should be considered for stairs, walkways, reading areas, medicine cabinets, and kitchen work surfaces. Use of spot lighting and positioning the light source behind the person are other ways to provide more useable light.
A stroll through the lighting departments at home improvement stores will provide a wide range of choices such as incandescent, florescent and halogen. Incandescent is the most common home lighting, but often produces excessive glare and may be a problem for persons with glare sensitivity. A better choice for these individuals may be Chromalux® lighting, designed to reduce glare and simulate true daylight.
Increasing the contrast between object or text and background is another way to promote usable sight and foster safety. Examples include painting or taping the edge of steps in high contrast colors and the use of contrasting dish, silverware and placemats or table cloth colors.
Use of large print items may help to achieve a higher level of independence in daily living activities. Calculators, timers and clocks are available with larger displays. Hand held magnifiers come in a variety of sizes and magnification levels; many also come with built in lighting. They are useful for enlarging text and graphics to a more readable size. Detachable magnifiers are also available for television and computer screens. Personal care items such as nail clippers and tweezers can be purchased with magnifiers already attached.
Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) is another important type of magnification technology. CCTVs are electronic magnification devices with ability to enlarge written information, pictures and small items needing attention to fine detail. They range in size from large desktop units, to small hand-held models that can be used when traveling. Some are stand alone units while other can be used with a computer or television. Typical features include a range of magnification levels, a choice of black/white or white/black image and background, and controls for contrast and brightness. Depending on the features, they can range in price from $400 to $4,000. When considering magnification products, it is important to seek consultation from an eye care professional specializing in low vision.
Adding speech or sound is another way assistive technology can be used to compensate for poor vision. Look for products that "talk" such as talking calculators, watches, scales, color identifiers, computer screen readers, thermometers and even thermostats. Audio books (cassettes and CDs) can allow a person to get continued pleasure from reading.
The use of tactile markings, alone or in combination with the other previously mentioned strategies, is the fourth way of adapting the environment to make it more supportive to a person with limited vision. Fabric or puffy paint can be applied to surfaces to mark important areas such as controls on the microwave, stove, washing machine, etc. Writing guides provide tactile clues for check writing. Large print labelers and self adhesive Braille markings can be used to identify other items in the home.
For further information on the products that were discussed, contact:
* MaxiAids - Products for Independent Living
800-522-6294, www.MaxiAids.com
* Independent Living Aids, Inc
800-537-2118, www.independentliving.com
* LS&S Group
800-468-4789, www.lssgroup.com
* Lighthouse International
http://www.lighthouse.org/vision_loss/age_related_vision_loss.htm
References:
Cate, Y.I., & Perez, M.R. (2004, December). Assistive technology for persons with low vision. Technology Special Interest Section Quarterly, 14, 1-4. This is the 9th in a series of articles designed to educate people about assistive technology and its benefits to older Arizonans. For more information, contact Randy Collins, Training and Outreach Coordinator for the Arizona Technology Access Program (AzTAP). Randy can be reached at 602.728.9533 Voice, 602.728.9536 TTY or toll free at 800.477.9921 Voice/TTY. The AzTAP website is Http://www.nau.edu/ihd/AzTap
Support for DES-AAA/NAU/AzTAP’s collaborative project Assistive Technology and Aging in Place is provided by the NAHB Research Center’s National Center for Seniors’ Housing Research through a grant from the U.S. Administration on Aging.
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