enabling independence in older adults with visual impairments through digital technology Author: Carrie Sant (Rehabilitation Officer - Specialising in Digital Technology) Henshaws Community Services enable people of all ages living with sight loss to make informed choices about their future, increase their independence and find the confidence to go beyond their expectations through the delivery of person centred digital technology assessments, training and support. BACKGROUND Henshaws has integrated occupational therapy into a newly created role within its existing service structure to develop and deliver digital technology based assessment and training; enabling older people with visual impairments to live independently in their homes and communities. This can include the use of specialist technology such as electronic magnifiers and text-to-speech equipment for reading, or mainstream devices such as smartphones and tablets for communication and socialisation. CONTEXT There are over 210,000 older adults registered as sight impaired or severely sight impaired in England. PRACTICE DEVELOPMENT Following a holistic, person centred assessment guided by the person-environment-occupation model (Law et al., 1996), an appropriate device is recommended and a time and goal orientated plan is agreed with each individual. Personalised training sessions are then delivered where appropriate to help the individual meet their goals. Through combining a compensatory rehabilitative approach and holistic occupational therapy knowledge and practice with a range of digital solutions we enable engagement in occupation including activities of daily living, reading and socialising as well as access to information via the internet, which existing evidence suggests has a positive impact on health and wellbeing (Chilvers and Singlehurst, 2010). The total direct and indirect costs of sight loss in 2014 were £4.6 billion. Statistics from: Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB, 2016) Services are under increasing pressure to deliver to a growing older adult population with limited financial resources, placing emphasis on efficacy and cost efficiency (Department of Health, 2001). 7x 2/3 72% “Only through Henshaws have I been aware of what devices are available” Vilma, 78, Macular Degeneration “The service is a godsend— I don’t know where I would be without it” Gwen, 69, Ischemic Optic Disc Neuropathy Older adults with visual impairments are seven times more likely to feel unhappy or depressed than those with sight. Statistics from: RNIB (2016) Almost two-thirds of visually impaired adults over 75 do not use a computer, the internet, a tablet or a smartphone. Statistics from: RNIB (2016) Feelings of lost independence and lack of engagement in occupations are reported in 72% of older adults with sight loss. Statistics from: RNIB (2016) 5 KEY OUTCOMES Reduced reliance on family and friends to complete everyday tasks such as travelling, sorting IMPACT Through providing awareness of appropriate, accessible products and training in their use, we help individuals to become self-supporting - enabling independence and reducing reliance on services (Department of Health, 2001). INDEPENDENCE mail. cooking and identifying familiar products. Since the start of the project over 100 individuals have received 1:1 interventions. We provided 297 pieces of information, advice and guidance in person and more over the phone or via our website. We have also supported individuals’ family, friends and the professionals working with them. Enabling access to the internet and other resources, and as a result, connecting to information and knowledge in the same way as the rest of the population. KNOWLEDGE More than 40 individuals regularly receive support from our group sessions. Using a smartphone for calls, texts and emails allows commu- nication with family and friends and facilitates the development of new relationships. REDUCING ISOLATION RESULTS Feedback from service users has been positive, with the majority reporting a significant impact on their daily lives, returning to them occupations which had been lost. A small sample were asked to participate in a telephone survey: (average results shown) Service users describe changes to their quality of life when given the skills they need to access digital technology and the further opportunities with this. QUALITY OF LIFE Please rate the impact our support had on your independence or quality of life. How confident do you feel using the device independently? How likely are you to continue to use the device? How likely are you to use the information you have been given? Enabling individuals to engage in their chosen occupations includ- ing reading, listening to the radio and chatting with friends improves health and wellbeing. How useful has your assessment / training been? HEALTH AND WELLBEING 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Rating Scale 9 10 EVALUATION The digital assessment and training service has demonstrated it has a positive impact on the quality of life of older adults with visual impairments; increasing their independence and sense of wellbeing through developing their knowledge and skills. NEXT STEPS The service will need to continue to demonstrate its efficacy in order to remain viable in a changing economic climate. It will also need to grow and develop as the needs of the service users change and the available technology progresses. References Chilvers, R., Corr, S., & Singlehurst, H. (2010). Investigation into the occupational lives of healthy older people through their use of time. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 57(1), 24-33 Department of Health (2001) National Service Framework for Older People. London: The Stationery Office Law, M., Cooper, B., Strong, S., Stewart, D., Rigby, P., & Letts, L. (1996). The person-environment-occupation model: A transactive approach to occupational performance. Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 63(1), 9-23. Royal National Institute for the Blind (2016) Sight Loss Data Tool. Accessed via: http://www.rnib.org.uk/knowledge-and-research-hub-key- information-and-statistics/sight-loss-data-tool carrie.sant@henshaws.org.uk 0161 872 1234