pictures of trainees

Independent Living Skills for the Elderly

Comprehensive training and counseling creates a strong foundation for healthy independent living. Drawing from the vast array of services at LWSB, a training schedule for each person's needs is designed to achieve a well-rounded and healthy personal adjustment to visual disability.

The philosophy of LWSB training maintains that effective and total rehabilitation can only be achieved in a therapeutic multi-disciplinary environment that is found in a comprehensive residential rehabilitation center. Home visits can substitute for the residential training when working with persons in the area who are elderly and visually impaired.

 

Training and counseling are provided by professionally qualified:

  • personal adjustment counselors
  • rehabilitation teachers
  • orientation and mobility instructors
  • consulting psychiatrist and psychologist
  • service program directors and coordinators

Independent Living Skills training:

  • Individual and group counseling
  • Activities of daily living
  • Leisure activities
  • Orientation and mobility
  • Communication
  • Adaptive aids
  • Assistive technology

 

All persons who are elderly and losing vision need a professional to help with the life changes they're experiencing. They want to remain as independent as possible, but find they need assistance.

Counseling:

  • Individual attention
  • Family counseling
  • Support group sessions with peers
  • Resources - where to turn?
  • Dealing with multiple medical problems
  • Coping strategies

Activities of Daily Living:

  • Clothing and grooming care
  • Kitchen safety and eating techniques
  • Labels for identification
  • Organization skills
  • Money identification
  • Handwriting

 

Communication:

  • Telephone usage
  • Reading skills
  • Writing aids
  • Braille
  • Typing
  • Resources - where can I find help?

Orientation and mobility:

  • Orientation to environments
  • Sighted guide techniques
  • Using the long cane to walk outside the home
  • Experience with travel aids - support canes, telescopes, colored glasses
  • Use of public transportation, including paratransit where available
  • Accessing transportation routes
  • Ideas for making home environment user-friendly

Assistive Technology

Personal computer training with assistive technology (voice output or large print display) for personal use: correspondence, financial needs, check writing, recipe files.

Adaptive aids:

  • Low vision aids and optical aids
  • Lighting
  • Color contrast and texture usage
  • Tape recorders
  • Library resources

Leisure activities:

  • Social, recreation, relaxation
  • Crafts and hobbies
  • Table games
  • Community group activities
  • Support - telephone buddies

 

The Structure

Professional staff and two consultants conduct an evaluation of each person as the primary step in LWSB-program design.

  • Functional skills assessment in all areas of services
  • Medical management provided as needed.

The team reviews the evaluation results and customizes the training program that meets the total needs of each individual. Modifications and changes are made daily when needed. Adaptations in schedule are made to accommodate for health problems and multi-disabilities .

Other Services

  • Vocational services - 13 training programs
  • Family counseling when needed
  • Support group organization and meetings
  • In-service training or workshops for rehabilitation professionals working with persons who are elderly

For Information and/or Referral:

ElderCare Project
Lions World Services for the Blind
2811 Fair Park Boulevard
Little Rock. Arkansas 72214-4055
Telephone 1-800-248-0734; (501) 664-7100
FAX (501) 664-2743
email: training@lwsb.org

 

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