Gaps in services
NCBI has found that it can be difficult for older people with vision impairments to access appropriate day care services. Mainstream day care centres could and should cater for people with vision impairments but the majority do not at present. Specialised services, such as NCBI’s day care centre in Dublin, are over-subscribed with long waiting lists so there are many older people with low vision who are missing out on a valuable social experience as a result.
Anecdotal evidence from our service users shows that many people do not want to attend mainstream day care centres. The reasons behind this reluctance lie in the nature of the services provided and the lack of interaction with peers in a similar position to themselves. Day care centres which cater for older people have often been developed under the medical model framework and focus on health and social care – the ‘care for’ approach. Apart from the lack of inclusive, accessible activities, the service users do not always have adequate input into the types of activities they wish to take part in. On the other hand, NCBI’s day centre is modelled around the individual and enabling them to achieve their own goals. The focus is on independence and empowerment. Activities include computers, gym, pilates, yoga, movement and relaxation, crafts, art, pottery, video club, book club, drama, self awareness, goal setting, quizzes and music. For that reason, in some instances, where numbers allow, the strategy should allow for the creation of day support services which are particularly tailored to the requirements of people who are blind or who are significantly impaired as part of a homogeneous population of older persons.
In addressing mainstream services, taking simple measures like providing staff training, introducing disability awareness training and using large print materials, such as large print playing cards, could make mainstream day care centres more accessible for everyone who uses them. The HSE Health Strategy acknowledges the importance of day care services but this is not backed up by the provision of adequate resources.
Older people with vision impairments also have difficulty accessing important services such as chiropody and occupational therapy (OT), due to long waiting lists. In one county in the North East region, the waiting list for an OT to carry out the assessment necessary to access the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with Disabilities can be as long as two years. Obtaining this grant can often mean the difference between living alone independently and relying on others for assistance around the home.