Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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A bit of advice - I’m the child (49) of a parent with age related macular degeneration (self.Blind)
submitted by Feltipfairy
My mum is 79. She has always been fiercely independent and upbeat about her AMD but since receiving her paperwork saying she is severely sight impaired (registered blind) she’s gone very downhill. She has never driven but cycled everywhere, now that’s not safe anymore. She can’t read, do crosswords or sew easily, all things she loved. My Dad (88) came home from walking the dogs to find her crying with frustration.
I think she’s bored and has lost the will, not to live but to try. I live two hours away but my sisters are local and see her every day.
What sort of things can we do to brighten things up for her without making her patronised? She’s not a great “joiner” and while Dad does still drive it’s not much. We are worried that as winter draws in she will feel even lower
I think she’s bored and has lost the will, not to live but to try. I live two hours away but my sisters are local and see her every day.
What sort of things can we do to brighten things up for her without making her patronised? She’s not a great “joiner” and while Dad does still drive it’s not much. We are worried that as winter draws in she will feel even lower
razzretina 2 points 3y ago
Now that she has the paperwork she’s eligible for the National Talking Book Library Services (NLS). They have tons of books and magazines and it’s all free. She should still be able to sew with some adjustments; I know there are tons of blind people who sew, crochet, and knit. As for biking, she should just keep doing it until she literally can’t anymore. I biked with half an eye and 20/400 vision in it for years. She just might need to take it a little slower and be careful where she bikes. :) And I’m sure there are accessible crossword and other game apps using Voiceover.
Feltipfairy [OP] 2 points 3y ago
Thanks, I’ll look at voiceover
razzretina 2 points 3y ago
You can get her set up with NLS at the local library. The librarians will help with the paperwork and it's a very easy process. I don't even think your mom has to be there, just as long as you have proof of her disability (usually in the form of an eye doctor's note; they'll fax or mail you one if you ask, or your mom asks in this case since it's her medical condition).
vwlsmssng 2 points 3y ago
If she can still learn new tech skills the get a nearby sighted family member or friend to learn how to use VoiceOver for iPhone / iPads and then they can teach Mum. Learning is so much better when done with someone and accessible software is so much easier to learn when you are sighted. VoiceOver is better than Talkback on Android. This will then open up opportunities for communication including social media and accessing information like audio books, news and weather forecasts.
If not tech then look into analogue assistance like talking book devices with traditional push button controls, illuminated hand magnifiers, bumpons - bright coloured sticky rubber dots that label key buttons or dial positions on equipment.
If you say what part of the world you are in then people here could point you to local resources.
If not tech then look into analogue assistance like talking book devices with traditional push button controls, illuminated hand magnifiers, bumpons - bright coloured sticky rubber dots that label key buttons or dial positions on equipment.
If you say what part of the world you are in then people here could point you to local resources.
Feltipfairy [OP] 2 points 3y ago
Thanks.
She is in the West Midlands. We are currently looking at a kindle fire and the RNIB subscription to newspapers and magazines. She uses Alexa for the time, weather and turning the radio on- they have an Alexa in the living room and having a Fire would make her more portable. She’s not too bad with new tech.
The bumpons is a good idea - I think her OT recommended something similar.
She needs a hobby of some sort I think
She is in the West Midlands. We are currently looking at a kindle fire and the RNIB subscription to newspapers and magazines. She uses Alexa for the time, weather and turning the radio on- they have an Alexa in the living room and having a Fire would make her more portable. She’s not too bad with new tech.
The bumpons is a good idea - I think her OT recommended something similar.
She needs a hobby of some sort I think
codeplaysleep 1 points 3y ago
You said she likes to sew - what about knitting or crochet? I've known a few people who are blind/severely visually impaired who can do both by feel. My mom crocheted some amazing things after she lost her eyesight.
I don't have many hobbies (other than audio books) that don't make use of what little remaining vision I have, but if I were looking for one, I think I'd give sculpting or pottery a try.
I don't have many hobbies (other than audio books) that don't make use of what little remaining vision I have, but if I were looking for one, I think I'd give sculpting or pottery a try.
vwlsmssng 1 points 3y ago
> She is in the West Midlands
*"Alright, our kid."*
You threw me with the description "registered blind" as the official language in the UK is now *visually impaired* or *severely visually impaired*.
If you're using RNIB stuff you probably know about everything they do.
For local talking newspapers in the West Midlands:
http://www.tnf.org.uk/local-tn/find-a-local-talking-newspaper.aspx?county=west%20midlands
The Methodists organise lunch clubs for older people:
https://www.mha.org.uk/live-home/lunch-clubs/
Another thing to think about is some kind of emergency call system, Doro phones have an emergency button on the back that once pressed will send text messages and make calls to the numbers you programme in. There are also wrist bands that you pay a service fee for. Not being able to call for help is something older people worry about.
I'm going to be trying Vwlsmssng-Senior with a Google or Amazon smart speaker as his AMD has made reading the papers impossible and using phones and TV remote controls are getting difficult at his age. He's nearly a decade older than your Dad so an electric typewriter is advanced tech for him.
$1 could be your nearest VI Tandem Cycling club, but at 79 there are other reasons to take care with outdoor activities.
Your local blind society might also be able to help with advice and home visits:
https://www.charitychoice.co.uk/charities/search/?t=advsearch§or=7&subsector=54®ion=west-midlands&q=&distance=&postcode=&onlinedonations=0
Edit: If using a Fire the the screenreader software is called Talkback, Like VoiceOver it is quite fiddly to learn with a variety of two and three finger taps and swipes to learn to make things happen. As advised above, a sighted person learning it first is the way to go.
*"Alright, our kid."*
You threw me with the description "registered blind" as the official language in the UK is now *visually impaired* or *severely visually impaired*.
If you're using RNIB stuff you probably know about everything they do.
For local talking newspapers in the West Midlands:
http://www.tnf.org.uk/local-tn/find-a-local-talking-newspaper.aspx?county=west%20midlands
The Methodists organise lunch clubs for older people:
https://www.mha.org.uk/live-home/lunch-clubs/
Another thing to think about is some kind of emergency call system, Doro phones have an emergency button on the back that once pressed will send text messages and make calls to the numbers you programme in. There are also wrist bands that you pay a service fee for. Not being able to call for help is something older people worry about.
I'm going to be trying Vwlsmssng-Senior with a Google or Amazon smart speaker as his AMD has made reading the papers impossible and using phones and TV remote controls are getting difficult at his age. He's nearly a decade older than your Dad so an electric typewriter is advanced tech for him.
$1 could be your nearest VI Tandem Cycling club, but at 79 there are other reasons to take care with outdoor activities.
Your local blind society might also be able to help with advice and home visits:
https://www.charitychoice.co.uk/charities/search/?t=advsearch§or=7&subsector=54®ion=west-midlands&q=&distance=&postcode=&onlinedonations=0
Edit: If using a Fire the the screenreader software is called Talkback, Like VoiceOver it is quite fiddly to learn with a variety of two and three finger taps and swipes to learn to make things happen. As advised above, a sighted person learning it first is the way to go.
Feltipfairy [OP] 2 points 3y ago
Thank you so much for all this, I’ll look into it. It’s her mental health I’m worried about, the physical isolation is really affecting her despite having my dad there
lamapo 1 points 3y ago
I am also looking for some ways to assist my dad who has Macular Degeneration.
One of the things I am looking at purchasing as an electronic desktop magnifier so it will allow him to read basic things - which he has trouble with now and leaves him frustrated.
Enhanced Vision is one of these companies, just use google to have a look, they run about 2K here in the US.
One of the things I am looking at purchasing as an electronic desktop magnifier so it will allow him to read basic things - which he has trouble with now and leaves him frustrated.
Enhanced Vision is one of these companies, just use google to have a look, they run about 2K here in the US.
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