JMS Vision Loss Rehabilitation, Inc., will develop a unique vision loss rehabilitation assessment instrument to delineate the rehabilitation needs of elderly individuals with vision impairments in long-term care, congregate care, and the community. This instrument will have the potential for nationwide application.JMS Vision Loss Rehabilitation, Inc., will bring extensive experience in designing assessment tools, performing assessments, and providing recommendations for rehabilitation to the project. From 1982 to 1987, 675 functional vision examinations were conducted of individuals with multiple chronic conditions in long-term care facilities and day programs in Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. In Phase I of the project, a systematic study will be conducted of the 675 functional vision examination results derived from previous practice to develop a knowledge base that can be applied to the development of the assessment instrument. In Phase I, an assessment instrument will be designed that will be tested in Phase II.
Anticipated Results:This assessment instrument has the potential to be marketed to nursing homes, congregate care facilities, community agencies for the blind, and optometrists in private practice throughout the country.National Institute on Aging
