See Well for a Lifetime: A Community-Based Resource for Raising Awareness of Eye Health Among Older Adults

Background: Vision loss and blindness are often assumed to be a natural part of aging. While normal functions of the eye decrease and the risk of blinding eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, and cataract increases, vision loss and blindness can often be prevented.  This presentation will provide information on age-related eye diseases and their prevalence by race and ethnicity; discuss what older adults in the United States report knowing, believing, and practicing in regards to eye health; and describe how new educational resources can be used to increase the capacity of senior centers and other community-based organizations to address eye health and aging.

Program background: The National Eye Health Education Program (NEHEP) of the National Eye Institute recognizes the importance of strengthening the capacity of community-based organizations to deliver eye health education programs. NEHEP has developed the See Well for a Lifetime toolkit to provide health educators and other health professionals with science-based tools and guidance for informing older adults about eye health, eye diseases and conditions, and the importance of eye examinations. The toolkit contains three educational modules that can be used individually or as a series to tailor eye health messages for older adults in community-based settings. This online resource was designed for anyone working with older adults and no prior knowledge of eye health is required. Each module contains a step-by-step speaker’s guide with talking points, a presentation, supplemental education materials, and evaluation forms.

Evaluation Methods and Results: The See Well for a Lifetime toolkit is a newly developed resource as part of the NEHEP Vision and Aging program. Before it was launched, the toolkit was pilot tested by senior centers, YMCAs, and other community organizations nationwide. Pilot test results revealed that the toolkit was a valuable resource and enabled community organizations to address vision and aging, something many had not previously been able to do because they did not have educational resources that address the eye health needs of older adults. The initial evaluation will focus on toolkit promotion and distribution activities and preliminary results are anticipated in early 2012.

Conclusions: In many cases, vision loss and blindness from age-related diseases can often be prevented. Early detection and timely treatment of eye disease are key to preventing vision loss and blindness. Educating and raising awareness of eye health can help older adults maintain quality of life and independent living.

Implications for research and/or practice: Senior centers and other community organizations serving older adults are ideal venues for delivering health information. This toolkit puts eye health information at the fingertips of those working with older adults and allows them to educate people on vision and aging issues. By using toolkits tailored for community organizations, health educators and other health professionals can provide science-based, easy-to-understand information to older adults about vision changes than can occur with age and what they can do to maintain healthy vision as they age.