seeing beyond vision loss Welcome to CNIB’s InFocus Webinar Series Webinar 2: Supporting Your Patients - Practical Tips & Strategies Leanne Cornell and Sumreen Siddiqui 15 th November 2012

seeing beyond vision loss How to identify if patient may have a vision problem Supporting Your Patients: Objectives Participants will be able to learn about: Practical tips for working with patients in a clinical setting Useful tools and strategies to help maximize usable vision CNIB services and support

seeing beyond vision loss Questions to Ask the Patient: Identifying if a Patient has a Vision Problem Looking at my face, what exactly do you see? What do you notice about me, eg. my clothes, shirt color, etc? Are you having difficulty… …reading fine print even when wearing your glasses or CLs? …moving around ie. are you bumping into things more often? …seeing cars on the road during the day and night or driving at dusk/dawn? …locating curbs and stairways? …identifying paper money or coins?

seeing beyond vision loss Tips for Working with Patients Speak to client directly so they know they’re being spoken to Let the patient know when entering and leaving Speak in a normal voice Be empathetic

seeing beyond vision loss Making a Patient Comfortable in their Surroundings Tips for Working with Patients Describe the room layout including landmarks Ensure the patient is in a secure place, i.e. close to a wall or sitting in a chair. Ensure there are no obstacles

seeing beyond vision loss Communication and Education Tips for Working with Patients KISS – use SIMPLE terms and avoid technical terminology Make no assumptions about a patients’ existing knowledge Explain associated conditions The patient may need help with their medications Point out the importance of identification in case of emergencies

seeing beyond vision loss Examples of questions and considerations to raise with patients Tips for Working with Patients Patient Responsibility and Independence - Transportation: How do you get from A to B? Have you used wheel trans or alternative forms of transport Importance of Tests Emphasize the importance of regular eye exams Encourage self advocacy and independence - Finances: Do you have alternative means of keeping track of your finances? Eg. Online transactions - Mobility: Diabetes can lead to reduced sensation in feet, so patients should ensure adequate footwear to prevent cuts/injury; Does patient need training or to adopt proper instruments for navigating?

seeing beyond vision loss Assess the lighting condition in the room Maximizing Usable Vision Do not sit/stand directly in front of a sunlit window When greeting the patient stand at a close distance (no more than 5 feet away) Use large print materials (high contrast, black on white, minimum 16 point bold serif type, plenty of white space) Use black felt tip pen on white paper when writing Be aware of patients’ needs and visual capabilities and make the necessary accommodations Take wholistic approach Refer patient to CNIB for an assessment

seeing beyond vision loss Tools Talking glucometer Magnification devices Lighting iPhone Filtered sunglasses and a cap Maximizing Usable Vision

seeing beyond vision loss Maximizing Usable Vision Provincial Programs and Subsidies Funding varies between provinces for the cost of low vision devices for people with impaired vision Refer to local CNIB office for more information

seeing beyond vision loss About CNIB Mission Passionately providing community-based support, knowledge and a national voice to ensure Canadians who are blind or partially sighted have the confidence, skills and opportunities to fully participate in life. Promotes confidence, skills and opportunities Personalized rehabilitation support Patients don’t have to be total blind Nationwide presence – services vary between offices

seeing beyond vision loss Emotional and Wellness Support – understanding and advice when needed most CNIB support group Toll-free CNIB Helpline Vision Mate program Counseling services CNIB – Community-Based Support

seeing beyond vision loss Low Vision Services – make the most of the sight they have CNIB Services Vision Assessment Tips and tricks to maximize sight Helpful devices

seeing beyond vision loss Independent Living Services Orientation and Mobility CNIB Services Build skills to live independently eg. Cooking, home and personal management, personal care. Identify money, use phone, label medications, organize Communication skills eg Braille, touch typing, computer retraining Teach safe mobility techniques (indoor and outdoor) eg. Using variety of canes Community programs

seeing beyond vision loss CNIB Library More than 80,000 materials in alternative formats eg. braille books and audio. Website: cniblibrary.ca Phone: CNIB Services

seeing beyond vision loss Assistive Technology Services Patients can receive an assessment Learn how to use assistive technologies Get the tools Eligible financial supports CNIB Services

seeing beyond vision loss CNIB Services Career & Employment Services (check with your province) One-on-one support Professional mentor Tuition and wage subsidies

seeing beyond vision loss CNIB Services CNIB can help give referrals and make connections to a range of community information, resources and services.

seeing beyond vision loss - Diabetic retinopathy basics - Prevention - Diagnosis and treatment - Living with diabetic retinopathy - For Health Care Professionals - Patient Guide Eye Connect: Diabetic Retinopathy

seeing beyond vision loss CNIB Website: Toll-free CNIB Helpline: Production of materials has been made possible through a financial contribution from the Public Health Agency of Canada. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views of the Public Health Agency of Canada. CNIB Contacts and Resources