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Dementia and Sight Loss: Impact & ways to improve quality of life Catherine Dennison, Thomas Pocklington Trust. Thomas Pocklington Trust. …working to bring about positive change in the lives of people with sight loss. UK prevalence over 65. Sight loss and dementia 123,000.
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Dementia and Sight Loss: Impact & ways to improve quality of life Catherine Dennison, Thomas Pocklington Trust
Thomas Pocklington Trust …working to bring about positive change in the lives of people with sight loss
UK prevalence over 65 Sight loss and dementia 123,000
Nature of the link • Eye conditions and cognitive decline may develop independently • Vision and perception are affected by some dementias • Vision and cognitive changes may have the same root
Mobility • Fear of falling • Slowing down • Misjudging distances • High stepping over shadows • Difficulties going downstairs
Loss of independence “The neighbours were worried about her because she was really an accident waiting to happen because she couldn’t see properly, but was insisting on going out, getting on the bus, doing all sorts of things”
How do we make a difference? • Spotting the signs • Regular eye examinations taking account of dementia • The right glasses for the right task • Maximise daylight & good lighting • Optimise the environment: colour & contrast, big & bold • Make activities accessible
Agnes Huston, diagnosed with dementia at 58, who feared she was ‘going mad’ because she was falling and had problems seeing…
Additional information Pocklington: • www.pocklington-trust.org.uk RNIB: • www.rnib.org.uk Alzheimer’s Society: • www.alzheimers.org.uk Scie: • www.scie.org.uk