web viewwhen you encounter consumers experiencing both a vision and hearing loss, it is critical...
TRANSCRIPT
The Illinois Department on Aging
2nd Annual CCP Supervisors Conference
March 25-26, 2013
Crowne Plaza
Springfield, IL
Handouts/Resources Provided BY:
Paige Berry, National CoordinatorSenior Adult Services
Helen Keller National CenterRichmond, VA 804-827-0920
Presenter: Barbara ChandlerHKNC SE Regional Representative
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Vision and Hearing Loss: Double-Trouble
When you encounter consumers experiencing both a vision and hearing loss, it is critical that their vision and hearing loss be viewed in total and not as separate entities. Appropriate services are needed to help reduce the fear, isolation, helplessness, and loneliness felt by many senior adults. They did not expect their “Golden Years” to be like this. We hope the information below serves as a guide to assist you in getting consumers with combined loss of vision and hearing the appropriate services needed in order to lead meaningful and productive lives.
The term “Deaf-Blind” includes individuals in the following categories:
1. Blind and Hard of Hearing2. Deaf and Visually Impaired3. Hard of Hearing and Visually Impaired4. Deaf and Blind
If the consumer you are working with needs skills in any of the following areas of Activities of Daily Living, please refer them to the appropriate agency listed in the resource section of this handout.
Alerting Devices (tactile, visual, auditory) for the telephone, doorbell, smoke/carbon monoxide detector
Communication aids: writing guides; computer/email access; large button phones; talking caller ID; enhanced volume control; loud ringer
Folding MoneyCooking and Kitchen Safety
Orientation & Mobility (traveling safely in my environment)
Glasses and other Low Vision Reading AidsSunwear to reduce glare (inside building and outside) Budgeting
Leisure Activities
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SPECIAL RESOURCE
The American Foundation for the Blind, in conjunction with the Helen Keller National Center Senior Adult Services, produced a series of short videos on different aspects of Vision and Hearing Loss. The videos describe some common aids and devices used by this population. To view the videos go to:
http://www.visionaware.org/ Click on “Everyday Living” Scroll down to videos on Vision and Hearing Loss
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Types of Vision Loss
Acuity Loss: Problem with central vision Central vision is used to read and write It is the vision tested with an eye chart and corrected with glasses. Some people have an acuity loss so great that it cannot be corrected with
glasses.
Field Restriction: Loss of one section of vision. Often peripheral or side vision, which is used to spot things near by and to
"keep track" of what is going on around us.
Mixed Loss: It is possible to have both a field restriction and acuity loss. (Macular Degeneration and Glaucoma)
Legal Blindness: Visual acuity of 20/200 or worse with the best correction OR a visual field restriction of 20 degrees or less.
20/20 VISION: This means that the person being tested can see at 20 feet what a normal-seeing person can see at 20 feet. 20/200 indicates that the person being tested can see at 20 feet what a normal-seeing person can see at 200 feet.
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Questions for My Vision Care Specialist
1. What is my visual acuity?
2. Do I have a field loss?
3. What is the cause of my vision loss?
4. Will I lose more sight?
5. What can I do to protect my remaining vision?
6. Will medications I am taking cause temporary or permanent vision loss
7. Will I benefit from a low vision exam? Magnifiers CCTV Sun wear (inside and outside) Telescope Direct Lighting
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Fonts – which can you read with ease?
12 Point14 Point16 Point18 Point20 Point
24 Point
30 Point
36 Point42 Point48 Point
60 Point
Times Roman 72
Page 6
Charles Bonnet Syndrome
(Visual Hallucinations)• Named after the Swiss naturalist and philosopher Charles Bonnet.• He reported hallucinations of Charles Lullin, his 89-year-old otherwise healthy
and cognitively sound grandfather, who was blind owing to cataract and yet vividly saw men, women, birds, and buildings.
• Less frequently diagnosed but rather common cause of complex visual hallucination
• More common in elderly due to prevalence of vision loss later in life. Seen most often in patients with Macular Degeneration.
• No clear level of visual acuity at which CBS occurs has been documented.
• May persist for a few days to many years, changing in frequency and complexity
• The imagery is varied and may include groups of people or children, animals, and panoramic countryside scenes
Is CBS a form of Mental Illness???
• No - that in itself is major relief to an elderly person experiencing failing vision, social isolation, and other medical problems.
• Many don’t admit symptoms –why? fear being labeled with insanity
• Similar to phantom limb; musical auditory hallucinations
• visual cortex exhibits spontaneous activity, giving rise to conscious imagery
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Range of Hearing Loss
Level of Loss Description Effect Hearing Aid Need0 to 25 dB
HLNormal Normal speech is
understoodNo need
26 to 40 dB HL
Mild Difficulty understanding normal speech
Needed in specific situations
41 to 55 dB HL
Moderate Difficulty understanding loud speech
Frequent need
56 to 80 dB HL
Severe Can understand amplified speech only
Need for all communication
81 dB or more HL
Profound Difficulty understanding amplified speech
May need supplemental speech-reading, aural rehab, or sign language
Things I need to know about my hearing loss!!
1. What is my decibel loss?
Right ear__________ Left ear ____________
2. In what frequencies do I hear best?
3. In what frequencies do I have more difficultly understanding?
4. Will hearing aids help?
5. Am I a candidate for a Cochlear Implant?
6. Is my hearing loss progressive?
7. Could the combination of medications I am taking cause further hearing loss?
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Communication Strategies for Service Providers
Say the person’s name to get their attention before talking with them.
Do not cover your face or keep hands near the mouth area.
Know where to get an interpreter, if the individual’s primary language is sign language.
Men – (mustaches should be trimmed so the lips are exposed to aid in speech reading )
Ladies – (careful about dangling and shinny earrings that might distract from your face)
Wear solid colors that contrast to your skin tone (no prints, polka dots, stripes)
Kneel or bend to get at eye level with the consumer
Make sure there is appropriate lighting
Check to make sure you are in a position where you can be seen, avoid glare behind you
Avoid background noise
Speak clearly at a moderate rate
Don’t exaggerate mouth movements
Use short sentences and get to the point
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Consumer Plan-Ahead Tips for Better Communication
General – Let others know: How to get your attention Which ear is best How to let you know where the speaker is, so I am facing him/her. To tell me when they leave the room. To let me know if the volume of my voice is too low or too loud. (ask them to
draw line up side of my arm if I need to speak louder; or down the side of my arm if I need to speak lower)
To let me know if there is feedback (squealing) on my hearing aid. Reconfirm important points
Restaurants
Call ahead and ask for booth with high back. If there is no booth, ask for a table in the quietest part of the restaurant. Ask to be seated away from kitchen and front door. Ask if wait staff can assist you:
o Reading menuo Buffet lineo Cutting meat
Community Events
Ask if an assistive listening device is available If not, ask if you can bring your own ALD and if the speaker will wear it Ask if the speaker will be using a microphone Ask to be seated near speaker Ask speaker to repeat questions from the audience when applicable Do not bluff! Try to remain patient and positive
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Print-on-Palm (POP) is a simple method of communicating with a person who is deaf-blind and familiar with printed English.
To use POP: with your index finger, “print” your message in the palm of the hand of the person who is deaf-blind. To make each letter, follow the diagram above, which indicates the recommended direction, sequence and number of strokes for each letter.
Use capital letters only, except for the letter “i” which is lower case. Print only in the palm area. Do not connect letters. Pause after each word. If you make a mistake, “wipe” the palm, then print the correct letter. If the person has speech, he or she may say each letter and word aloud as you spell it. This is a good way to know that your message is being understood.
Self-Advocacy Know situations you handle well. Know difficult hearing situations. Coping skills: What do you do when … Know your preferred accommodations. Be able to state why you prefer one accommodation over another Be aware of application laws.
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Alerting Devices
Questions to consider:
1. Doorbell or Knock on Door:
a. Can you hear a knock on the door?
b. With/without hearing aid.
c. If you are not in the same room as the bell/door?
2. Smoke alarm/Carbon Monoxide:
a. Do you have a smoke /carbon monoxide detector?
b. Do you change the battery every 6 months?
c. Can you hear it when it is activated?
d. Can you hear it without hearing aid?
e. Can you hear it if you are not in the same room with it?
3. Telephone:
a. Can you hear it ring if not same room with it?
b. If you do not have hearing aid on?
c. Can you understand most speech over the phone?
d. Do you hear better in the high or low frequencies?
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HKNC’s Confident Living Program (CLP) for Senior Adults goes
Partner with HKNC to host a CLP in your state
Length of program 2.5 days The program is geared toward consumers,
ages 55 and better who are hard of hearing and blind or visually impaired and do not use sign language as their primary means of communication.
A maximum of 10 participants
Participants will obtain information and an introduction to skills in the following areas:
coping with hearing and vision loss enhancing independent living skills enhancing communication skills experiencing new technology self advocacy elder law issues emergency preparedness community integration and developing
community resources sharing life experiences with peers exploring leisure activity options having FUN
For more information contact
Helen Keller National CenterNorth Central Regional Office485 Avenue of the Cities, Suite 5East Moline, IL 61244309.716.3657 VP309.755.0018 voice309.755.0025 faxLaura J. Thomas, Regional [email protected]
CLP Facilitated by:
Paige Berry, National CoordinatorSenior Adult ServicesHelen Keller National Center c/o Virginia Commonwealth UniversityDepartment of Rehabilitation CounselingPO Box 980330Richmond, VA 23298804-827-0920 [email protected]
Page 14"Life is either a daring adventure or
nothing." - Helen Keller, 1941
ILLINOIS RESOURCES
For individuals who have combined loss of Vision and Hearing,their families, service providers and others
Illinois Department of Human Services/Division of Rehabilitation Services400 W. Lawrence AvenueSpringfield, IL 62794217.785.9304 voice217.785.7798 fax312.957.4881 VPIngrid Halvorsen, Manager of D/HH/DB [email protected]
DHS/BBS Illinois Center for Rehabilitation and Education (ICRE-Wood)1151 South Wood StreetChicago, IL 60612312.633.3545 voice312.633.3479 faxBrenda Alexander, Program [email protected]
Janet Sherburne, Program ManagerIndependent Living for Older BlindDepartment of Human ServicesBureau of Blind ServicesDivision of Rehabilitation Services809 Commercial AvenueSpringfield, IL 62703Phone: (217) 785-3887Fax: (217) 524-1235TTY: (217) 785-3887Relay: (866) 704-2313E-mail: [email protected]
Independent Living Services for Older BlindContact: Priscilla CurtisDepartment of Human ServicesBureau of Blind ServicesDivision of Rehabilitation Services1307 North Mattis Avenue
Champaign, IL 61821Phone: (217) 278-3500Fax: (217) 278-3508Relay: (888) 472-0940E-mail: [email protected]
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Helen Keller National CenterNorth Central Regional Office485 Avenue of the Cities, Suite 5East Moline, IL 61244309.716.3657 VP309.755.0018 voice309.755.0025 faxLaura J. Thomas, Regional [email protected]
The Chicago Lighthouse (HKNC Affiliate)Deaf-Blind Program1850 W. Roosevelt Rd.Chicago, IL 60608312.666.1331, ext. 3415 voice312.957.4865 VP
312.421.4788 TTY312.666.8874 TTY312.243.8539 faxJoann Rushing, Program [email protected]
National Deaf Blind Equipment Distribution Program/iCanConnect (ICC) The Chicago Lighthouse (HKNC Affiliate)
Deaf-Blind Program1850 W. Roosevelt Rd.Chicago, IL 60608312.666.1331, ext. 3415 voice312.957.4865 VP312.421.4788 TTY312.666.8874 TTY312.243.8539 faxJoann Rushing, Program [email protected]
Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults (national headquarters)141 Middle Neck RoadSands Point, NY 11050516.944.8900 voice516.570.3626 VP516.944.7302 faxwww,hknc.org
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Helen Keller National Center Senior Adult ServicesPaige Berry, National Coordinatorc/o Virginia Commonwealth UniversityDepartment of Rehabilitation CounselingPO Box 980330Richmond, VA [email protected] Voice
Le COBDA (a Deaf-Blind social group)1850 W. Roosevelt Rd.Chicago, IL 60608Regularly scheduled on 2nd Saturday of the month (except January, June and August)President: Celine Bush312/421.4788 TTY312.666.8874 TTY
312.957.4865 [email protected]
Illinois Association of Deaf-Blind (state consumer organization)Karyn Campbell, [email protected]@iladb.orgRenee Ingalsbe, Vice [email protected]
Illinois Telecommunications Access Corporation (ITAC)3001 Montvale Dr. Suite DSpringfield, IL 62704217.698.4170 voice217.698.0942 faxBraille Phone, Large Visual Display TTY and Deaf-Blind Communicatorwww.itactty.org
State of Illinois Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission (IDHHC)528 South 5th St., Suite 209Springfield, IL 62701217.303.8010 VP217.557.4495 voice217.557.4492 fax
John Miller, Executive [email protected]
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Center for Sight & Hearing (HKNC Affiliate)8038 Maclntosh LaneRockford, IL 61107815.332.6800 voice815.332.6810 FaxDiane Jones, [email protected] www.rockfordcenter.org
Anixter Center2032 N. Clybourn AvenueChicago, IL 60614773.929.8200 ext. 283 voiceAnne Westerman-Rivera, Director of Community Resources and [email protected]
Project REACH Illinois (Deaf-blind Technical Assistance Project)Philip J. Rock Center and School818 DuPage BlvdGlen Ellyn, IL 60137630.790.2474630.790.4893 faxMichelle Clyne, Project Coordinatormclyne@philiprockcenter.orgwww.project-reach-illinois.org
Camp Lions of Illinois2814 DeKalb AvenueSycamore, IL 60178815.756.5633 voice815.748.9087 faxAlan Wilson, Registrar [email protected]
Illinois Deaf-Blind Weekend Retreat (ILDBWR) - June or July 2014 (TBA)Annual four-day educational retreat for individuals who are Deaf-blind and working interpreters/ITP [email protected]
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Illinois SSP Task Force (IDHHC)Bryen Yunashko, Chairperson
Through HKNC’s national network, we are in touch with resources specific to youth and adults who are Deaf-Blind, including: technology, housing, SSP services, older adults and camps. For more information about these resources, contact [email protected]
Revised 3/2013
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Additional Resources for Working with Senior Adults Experiencing Combined Vision and Hearing Loss
Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs)ADRCs assist people of all incomes and ages. Forty-three (43) states have ADRCs. To find out if your area is served by ADRC visit their web site.Web Address: www.adrc-tae.org
American Foundation for the BlindCenter on Vision Loss, Dallas, TxTelephone: 214 – 352-7222
***For a series of short videos on Vision and Hearing Loss Aids and Devices go to: http://www.visionaware.org/Click on “Everyday Living”Scroll down to videos on Vision and Hearing Loss
Centers for Independent Living (CILs)CILs assist people with disabilities. A state-by-state directory of CIL can be found by visiting their web site.Web Address: www.ilru.org/html/publications/directory/index.asp
National Senior Citizens Law Center (NSCLC)The NSCLC advocates nationwide to promote the independence and well-being of low-income elderly individuals and persons with disabilities. They also provide technical assistance and training to attorneys and other advocates and are active in litigation and policy advocacy with a strong focus on income security and health care. For more information, please visit the web site.Web Address: www.nsclc.org
State Technology Assistance ProjectThe State Technology Assistance Project has information on medical equipment and other assistive technology. Contact the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) to get contact information for your state.Phone: (703) 524-6686Web Address: www.resna.orgNational Deaf Blind Organization
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News and Information in ASLwww.oicmovies.com
Retinitis Pigmentosa [email protected]
The American Association of the Deaf-Blindwww.aadb.org
The following companies and organizations distribute catalogues and sell products useful for persons with vision and/or hearing loss. This list is not intended to be a complete listing of all organizations, which sell such products, nor is it intended to be an endorsement of the actual products by HKNC.
American Printing House for the Blind, Inc.1839 Frankfort AvenuePO Box 6085Louisville, KY 40206-0085(800)223-1839 or (502)895-2405Fax: 502-899-2274Email: [email protected]: www.aph.org
Independent Living Aids, LLC200 Robbins LaneJericho, NY 11753(800)537-2118 or (516)937-1848Fax: (516)937-3906Email: [email protected]: www.independentliving.com
Harris Communications
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15155 Technology DriveEden Prairie, MN 55344-2277(800)825-6758 (800)825-9187 (TTY)Fax: (952)906-1099Email: [email protected]: www.harriscomm.com
LS&S 145 River Rock DriveBuffalo, NY 14207-2172(800)468-4789 (866)317-8533 (TTY)Fax: 877-498-1482Email: [email protected]: www.lssproducts.com
Maxi-Aids, Inc.42 Executive Blvd.Farmingdale, NY 11735(800)522-6294Fax: 631-752-0689TTY: 631-752-0738Email: [email protected]: www.maxiaids.com
Assistance to purchase hearing aids and assistive listening devices:
Better Hearing Institute (BHI) has a listing of over 55 different private programs that provide loans or grants to qualifying people who need hearing aids, “Your Guide to Financial Assistance for Hearing Aids.” You can access this at http://www.betterhearing.org. Most of the resources in the guide are for low-income individuals and families. However, there are a few who assist those whose income is above the government’s established poverty levels but who still find it difficult to afford quality hearing, such as AUDIENT (www.audientalliance.org), and Let Them Hear Foundation (www.letthemhear.org). For a listing of providers of financial assistance for hearing aids and personal assistive technology, visit http://hearingloss.org/support/financial.asp.
Lions Affordable Hearing Aid Projectemail: [email protected]
Hear Now Program
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6700 Washington Ave SEden Prairie, MN 55344
Contact:Joanita Stelter, HEAR NOW Program Coordinatore-mail: [email protected]: 1-800-648-4327.
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