1. Dementia and Sight Loss: Impact & ways to improve quality of life Catherine Dennison, Thomas Pocklington Trust

2. …working to bring about positive change in the lives of people with sight loss

3. UK prevalence over 65 Sight loss 1.7 million Dementia 800,000 Sight loss and dementia 123,000

4. 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

5. So what’s the impact?

6. Visuoperceptual difficulties

7. Disorientation

8. Mobility Fear of falling Slowing down Misjudging distances High stepping over shadows Difficulties going downstairs

9. 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”

10. Increased isolation

11. 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

12. Agnes Huston, diagnosed with dementia at 58, who feared she was ‘going mad’ because she was falling and had problems seeing…

13. 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