Lighthouse International and collaborators at the Jewish Home and Hospital presented an array of significant studies at Gerontological Society of America
Further Information:
Leslie Gottlieb
212-821-9760
For Immediate Release
New York... Lighthouse International and Jewish Home and Hospital Lifecare System staff presented numerous significant papers on the impact of vision loss, new models of care and a new data system at the annual scientific meeting of the Gerontological Society of America (GSA) held in San Francisco Nov. 16-20, 2007. Dr. Tara A. Cortes, RN, CEO and President of Lighthouse International presented a new model of utilizing an advanced practice nurse to provide low vision services to homebound elderly in New York City.
Dr. Cortes commented, "I am extremely proud of the work of Lighthouse International and of our collaboration with Jewish Home and Hospital Lifecare System and its research team as we promote the knowledge base and further develop our evidence base for innovative leadership in vision rehabilitation."
At the GSA Dr. Amy Horowitz, Director of Research at Jewish Home & Hospital, and her research colleagues there, Drs. Joann Reinhardt, Kathrin Boerner and Brent Gibson, along with Dr. Mark Brennan of ACRIA (AIDS Community Research Initiative of America) had presentations on two studies being conducted in collaboration with Lighthouse International. Preliminary findings from a longitudinal study of older drivers (age 55+) with vision problems --followed at 6 months and 12 months -- provided insights into the transition from driver to ex-driver. Another study supported the tenet that cognitive appraisals of stress are as important for explaining emotional well-being as more objective stressors such as functional ability. According to Dr. Horowitz, late-life vision loss constitutes a major threat to one's sense of competence and control. One of her presentations examined how elders' use of strategies to reduce this threat varies as a function of disability.
A symposium organized by Dr. Mark Brennan, a consultant for Lighthouse International, addressed dual sensory impairment in vision and hearing loss among older adults. The projected incidence of dual sensory impairment among the age group of 70 years and over is 2 million new cases over five years. With the Baby Boomer influx, by 2030 it is anticipated that up to 14 million could be expected to develop dual sensory loss.
Dr. Cynthia Stuen, DSW, PhD, Senior Vice President for Policy and Professional Affairs of Lighthouse International, led a presentation on the new Electronic Vision Rehabilitation Record (EVRR). EVRR was developed by Lighthouse International and was funded by a grant from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. It is the first electronic vision rehabilitation record used for registration, assessment, progress notes, functional outcomes based on clinical best practices of people who are visually impaired. In addition, EVRR is accessible to providers with vision loss.
Founded in 1905, Lighthouse International is a leading non-profit organization dedicated to preserving vision and to providing critically needed healthcare services to help people of all ages overcome the challenges of vision loss. Through services, education, research and advocacy, the Lighthouse enables people with low vision and blindness to enjoy safe, independent and productive lives. Lighthouse is the only U.S. vision rehabilitation agency with its own in-house research capability. For more information about vision loss, its causes and what you can do about it, contact Lighthouse International at 1-800-829-0500 or visit www.lighthouse.org
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