Sensory Loss Team - sight loss

Experiencing a sight loss can be an emotional time and will often result in every day tasks such as cooking, reading, going out and working, becoming quite difficult.

If you are experiencing a sight loss that is not fully correctable by wearing spectacles and is likely to be long-term or permanent then you might benefit from a one-to-one assessment with a member of the Sensory Loss Team.

Staff in the Sensory Loss Team are specially trained to assess peoples' needs and provide practical information, advice and support. There are two sight loss roles within the Sensory Loss Teams – the Sight Loss Advisors and the Rehabilitation Officers for the Visually Impaired (ROVI).

Sight Loss Advisors – clinics

The role of the Sight Loss Advisor is to provide visually impaired people with information, practical and emotional support. They will spend time with each individual, discussing ways in which their sight loss is affecting them on a day-to-day basis, supporting them in understanding their eye condition, coming to terms with their sight loss or looking at the practical tasks which are presenting difficulties, such as cooking, managing appointments and mobility.

Based on the needs that are discussed, information is shared on the services available, which might be beneficial. These services include: ROVI (Rehabilitation Officer for the Visually Impaired), Occupational Therapy, specialist employment advisors, support and/or social groups and information sessions.

Some individuals may be eligible to be registered as visually impaired and the Sight Loss Advisor will discuss what registration means, its benefits and when asked will complete the registration process on their behalf. Some clients are referred by their Ophthalmologist to the Low Vision Service for aids such as magnifiers, to help with reading. The Sight Loss Advisor can discuss this with the client, if further explanation is required.

Information packs are given to each person containing a variety of leaflets and useful contacts telephone numbers both locally and nationally.

Sight Loss Advisor clinics - often held in Ophthalmology venues.

Rehabilitation Service

If you meet the Fair Access to Care (FACS) eligibility criteria you may be able to access the rehabilitation service Your needs and eligibility will be assessed by a member of the Sensory Loss Team either within a sight loss clinic (Sight Loss Advisor) or via a telephone screening.

Some examples of the issues that they can help with are listed below

Assessment

• to establish an individual’s sight loss needs, aims, abilities and situation
• usually in the person's home where relatives and carers may also be involved
• looks at their whole situation to see if other professionals and support organisations are also needed. If, for example, a person has complex needs that require physical assistance i.e. with personal care or restricted mobility, they can be offered a further assessment from either a care manager or occupational therapist, depending on the specific need

Information and advice

• sight loss issues
• different eye conditions and the practical implications of these (the Sensory Loss Teams are not medically trained so cannot provide diagnoses or prognoses of eye conditions)
• help with understanding the persons sight loss

Rehabilitation training for mobility

• specialist Mobility and Orientation Skills to enable people to travel more safely and independently, both indoors and out
• Sighted-Guide Skills can be taught to relatives and carers
• advise and referral, if appropriate, to Guide Dogs for the Blind Association

Rehabilitation training for independent living skills

• in all aspects of daily living tasks, such as cooking, housework, personal admin and personal care so that the person can continue to do these independently

Communication skills

• one-to-one and group teaching if appropriate of tactile skills, such as Braille and Moon
• basic computer and touch-typing tuition
• help to explore and adapt manual writing methods
• advise on the use of specialist telephones and tape services

Equipment

• specialist sight loss equipment, some of which can be provided by Hampshire Adult Services in line with "Fair Access to Care "
• contact information for other organisations who can provide larger, more specialist equipment

Lighting and low vision aids

• appropriate lighting to maximise the existing light levels in a persons home environment
• low vision aids and guidance on their use and how such aids can be obtained

Environmental assessments

• appropriate adaptations to public and private buildings that will be utilised by people with a visual impairment

Rehabilitation and employment

• support and facilities available to people who are in work or looking for work, frequently done in conjunction with the other disability employment services