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Whiting VIPs Celebrate Spring
WHITING - Whiting VIPs will be celebrating spring at Seaside Height's boardwalk and beach on May 21. Over time, there has been an increase in Whiting's homebound residents with vision loss, an unavoidable circumstance in their retirement villages. Some coping strategies have evolved from their Manchester Township Outreach program.
The township accessible minibus will be available for pickup starting at 9 a.m. Since seating is limited, they suggest that reservations be made as soon as possible, but before May 9. Call 732-657-8121 extension 1132.
The boardwalk concessions may be open, but you may wish to pack a lunch, beverage, white cane and a hand magnifier. If the weather doesn't cooperate, the trip will be to the Ocean County Mall. They will return at 2 p.m.
The Whiting VIPs' next meeting will be held on May 14 at noon at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 180 Route 539. Crestwood Garden Club will be conducting another one of their popular spring blossom programs.
It cannot be repeated often enough, low vision is useable vision; it can be measured by a trained eye professional called an ophthalmologist. Low vision care is about rehabilitation, not a cure. It's about finding new ways to accomplish the tasks of daily living and making adjustments.
The recommendation is to analyze your most immediate needs such as personal care, reading mail, writing checks, identifying cash, preparing meals, identifying and measuring medications, doing laundry among other things. The low vision exam is tailored to your existing visual condition. It is not only how well you can see an eye chart, but also how well you can see faces, street signs, newsprint, stove dials and the great variety of visual guides you need for daily living. The clinician measures long and short distances, contrasts, blur and/or distorted vision and specific angles of vision. Additional questions will be asked to address your ability to manage activities.
The information that you give the doctor enables him to prescribe the devices that will best meet your individual needs such as strength of lens needed, how and where they will be used, what kind of activity will the device be used for, how close will you get to the task or activity, will you need free hands or can you hold a magnifier (safety issues) and what size are the items you will need to see. Also, consider if your vision will be improved with better use of lighting, controlling glare or increasing contrast. The final choice is yours. You will receive instructions on how to use the devices and time to practice. Getting accustomed to the utensils also means lots of home practice.
They would like to remind you that stronger isn't always better. A strong magnifier may be difficultto use. It must be held very close to the object it is magnifying, and even the slightest motion can cause it to lose focus. The size of the area that can be viewed is also reduced as the magnifier gets stronger. In fact, the best magnifier is usually the weakest one that allows you to accomplish the task. Practice using several strengths first, and become adjusted.
Few people are truly prepared for their first low vision exam. It is especially vital as we reach retirement age when visual problems first emerge. The emotional stakes are high, and it's difficultto know if our expectations are realistic. The low vision exam may be the beginning of a new adventure in your life. With the proper tools and guidance, plus your own resourcefulness and determination, you will experience successes you didn't think possible.
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