SERVICES for ages 55 and up

SENIORS WITH LOW VISION OR LOSS OF SIGHT

Depression and Vision Loss

Every day, we’re helping people deal with the physical loss of sight (blindness), and – most importantly – with the emotional feelings. Loneliness is a universal first feeling for seniors who are losing their vision. If you have recently lost your sight, your family members and your friends may be sympathetic, but they don’t really know how you feel. Only someone who has been through what you are going through truly understands.

Share the Vision

There are hundreds of people with vision loss who are more than willing to talk with you one-on-one on the phone, in private or in a group here at Cleveland Sight Center. These are the people who volunteer for our Share the Vision program. These are clients who have become volunteers and meet in person or talk on the phone with others – like you – who may have recently lost their sight or felt their already failing vision deteriorate.

Transitional Life Counseling

Transitional Life Counseling (TLC) is a specific support system for seniors, and is always held in a group setting. We know that seniors face unique emotional issues that involve more than the loss of their vision, including other physical health issues. Through TLC meetings which practice frank and open discussions, seniors can often work through these issues and realize they still have much to offer to their family, friends, the community, and themselves. You will learn about these support services from your case manager and, if right for you, you will certainly be invited to participate.

Services Beyond Cleveland Sight Center

Neighborhood Sights is a community outreach program which brings some of the services of Cleveland Sight Center directly to you. We visit senior centers, assisted living facilities, and senior apartment complexes and provide one-on-one vision consultations with an optician, who will give you an eye acuity exam and check for symptoms of eye disease. You can also look at samples of magnifiers, vision aids and appliances from our EYE-dea Shop or shop our EYE-dea Shop online store.

Independent Living

Many seniors are living in their own homes - independently - because of the rehabilitation and mobility skills they have learned from our professional rehab teachers and instructors. Your case manager will check out safety issues in your home during their initial visit, such as identifying open walkways between rooms, or helping others living in the house with you assist you when you need help.

Your case manager may then arrange for a visit by a rehabilitation instructor from our Independent Living and Orientation and Mobility programs. One of these professional rehab teachers may come to your home, following a referral from your case manager, and help you once again cook, clean, get dressed and get around safely in and outside of your own home - independently!

Prevention & Education

Our staff nurses and volunteers also provide free adult glaucoma screenings at area health fairs, senior centers, and at the Cleveland Sight Center facility on the second Thursday of each month from 9am to 3pm. For a schedule of these free screenings, as well as educational programs, please call (216) 791-8118 x277. View our glaucoma screening schedule.

Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration usually does not cause one to become totally blind. Primarily, the central vision is affected. The macula is a small area of the retina about the size of the letter “o” in newspaper size print type. Its atrophy, or degeneration, results in what appears to be a cloud in the center of one's vision; peripheral vision is not affected.

Today, more than 15 million people across the USA have Macular Degeneration. There are treatments available and new treatments being developed. Training can be provided, and assistive aids and appliances can be recommended to improve your ability to read, write, watch TV and generally enjoy life.