Disability, Depression, and Use of Optical and Adaptive Aids Among Older Adults With Age-Related Vision Loss
By Horowitz, Amy, DSW; Brennan, Mark, PhD; Reinhardt, Joann P., PhD; 2003 International Conference on Aging, Disability, and Independence, pp. 27-28Publication Date: May 2004
Study conducted to examine the influence of optical and adaptive devices on change in functional disability and depression among older adults with age-related visual disabilities. Data was drawn from a larger longitudinal study of the interrelationships among severity of visual disability, functional disability, rehabilitation, and depression among older people with age-related vision loss. A sample of 584 older adults with recent vision loss were recruited from vision rehabilitation services, and were interviewed at pre-service and at six-, twelve-, and eighteen-month follow ups. The analysis focused on short-term changes occurring in the first six months following service application for the participants. Findings from the study support research that stresses the importance of optical low vision devices for improving quality of life in terms of functional and mental health status for older adults with visual disabilities. The authors contend that this may be due to the ability of older adults with visual disabilities to regain the ability to read using magnifiers and other prescribed devices. Implications for further research are discussed.
Published by: Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Technology for Successful Aging (RERC-Tech-Aging) (Website:http://www.phhp.ufl.edu/centers/rerc.htm)
ISBN: 0-9754783-0-3
