Visual Impairment North of 55 Years FAQs
Q - What types of services do you provide regarding Vision Loss?
A - The Center, as a whole, provides services in:
&bull Disability counseling and peer counseling;
&bull Adaptive "skills" training;
&bull Information and ideas, and providing Referral to other programs and agencies;
&bull Individual advocacy assistance or advocacy to change larger systems or policies in society.
Through these four ways we can work with you on topics such as:
&bull Community Integration
&bull Basic Orientation &Mobility Skills
&bull Daily Living Skills
&bull Home Appliances
&bull Low Vision Aids
&bull Communication Aids
&bull Low Vision Training
&bull Management of Second Disability
&bull Reader/Guide
Q - Who is eligible for services?
A - Individuals age 55 or older who are experiencing significant vision loss, or their families and their friends. The general public may also call in for information assistance.
Q - Do you provide services to individuals under age 55?
A - Yes, but more limited. We can provide informational services and referral to programs, services, and agencies you may not be aware of. We can assist with some ideas and problem solving. But we cannot offer detailed training in blindness skills. That service is limited to individuals older than 55 until funding increases for that age group.
Q - How far away from PACE can I live and still be served?
A - We provide services to families living in Champaign, Vermilion, Piatt, Douglas, and Edgar counties. If you live outside of this area, we can possibly provide more limited assistance -- or refer you to a sister agency who can be of greater help to you in your local community.
Q - Will you come to my home?
A - We try to make one appointment in your own home during the period that you receive "skills" training or other services. Many of the skills you might learn would be best taught in your own home. For example, if you want to learn to use your microwave or wash machine without being able to see the dials any longer, we may want to put on tactile "bumps" that your fingertips can learn to distinguish. We can do that in your home best.
Otherwise, all appointments will be at PACE. Our information resources and our teaching supplies are at PACE. And we believe your commitment to your own learning will be greater when you come in and see others with vision loss doing the skills and activities successfully!
Q - I understand you lead a number of community groups?
A - Yes! We have monthly Vision Loss groups in Urbana, Rantoul, Danville, Monticello, Tuscola, and soon Paris. We think this is an excellent way for you to get to know other seniors who are also experiencing vision loss. These groups are a good mixture of informal learning, lectures, and socialization. And these are so much more fun than a stuffy clinic or classroom for learning!
Q - Do you give eye exams?
A - No. We do not perform medical services. Think of us as peer mentors (or peer teachers). We can show you how to make the most of the vision you do have -- by adopting some new techniques or using some adaptive gadgets to enhance your day-to-day life.
We also work as community advocates and help "shape" legislation and social policies that will promote more independence and an inclusive society for us all.
Q - Can you pay for eye exams, spectacles, or other gadgets or daily living devices for me?
A - No. We do have some limited ideas on how you can finance expensive high technology items. But where we excel is in teaching you about the array of gadgets available and the adaptive techniques that you can use. Many adaptive gadgets or strategies are free! Many more are $20. or less!
Q - Do you have a store where I can buy these daily living gadgets?
A - No. But we do have excellent resources and catalogs where you can buy direct. Buying direct often saves you the money of buying through a "middle man".
Q - Is there a fee for your help?
A - We are fortunate not to have to charge individuals for the services they receive at this time, we do encourage every family to become a member of PACE. Membership shows your vote of confidence by monetary support. Members also gain access to some Vision Loss equipment vendor and other discounts!
Q - What other services does PACE provide?
A - We have a very similar program for families who are experiencing hearing loss. We have a program for families needing to learn to hire and manage a Personal Assistant (you may have heard the term homemaker). We are helping some individuals to move out of area Nursing Homes and back into local apartments and homes. And there are a variety of other services! You can call in and talk about your exact concern or need and we can determine if we can help or if another community agency is better suited.
Q - How do you accomplish all this?
A: We have a small and dedicated staff at PACE, we have a wonderful corps of volunteers.
PACE receives some grants from the State and Federal government. We also receive smaller grants from local churches and organizations, there are some initiatives that produce funds through products and services and, finally, we receive donations from individuals like you. We are careful with our financial resources and consider ourselves good stewards of the donations entrusted to us by our consumers and families like you.
A member of INCIL
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