Vision and Aging

It is estimated that by the year 2020 there will be 4.6 million persons who are elderly and blind or severely visually impaired. Vision loss in the elderly is a common problem but is frequently unaddressed. The affected often do not know where or when to go for help and care providers are sometimes equally uninformed. Vision and Aging responds to the needs of this growing population and provides the knowledge and tools necessary to increase the number and accessibility of services available to the visually impaired elderly. This comprehensive book addresses many areas of concern, including the current service network and its existing gaps and the public policy agenda necessary for better meeting the needs of persons who are elderly and visually impaired. With proper care and rehabilitation, many of these elderly can lead active, independent, and productive lives. Social workers and allied professionals will discover what resources are currently available and how to make sure their clients are able to explore the full range of opportunities open to them. Specific strategies to identify, reach, and serve the population are recommended, and changes to improve both public policy and the care system in general are addressed.With its thorough treatment of the subject, including chapters on measurement of rehabilitation outcomes, descriptions of service delivery models, a vision screening questionnaire, and elders'reactions to vision loss, Vision and Aging will be valuable reading for everyone involved in working with the visually impaired elderly. Students, agency administrators and staff, and public policy decision makers are among those from fields such as medicine, health promotion, aging, and rehabilitation who will find useful and practical information in this enlightening book.