Blind and Partially Sighted Elderly People
Sight loss is closely related to old age. With the growing population of seniors, the number of persons with sight loss will increase in the coming years.
This video outlines the work of EBU in the area of sight loss due to ageing
Nearly 90% of all blind and partially sighted Europeans are over the age of 60, and two thirds are over the age of 65.
Elderly people with sight loss may have additional health problems such as loss of hearing and reduced physical mobility.
They find it more difficult to learn new ways to adapt to their new condition and to cope with daily tasks. They are less likely to have access to adequate rehabilitation programmes or have the opportunity to register as disabled, because they feel it is ‘just part of growing old.' Agencies providing services to older people may have low awareness of sight problems. Consequently older people may be less aware of the support services available to them, and are at increased risk of isolation.The EBU Elderly Visually Impaired People Steering Group closely follows all issues affecting the elderly and produced a concept paper on how to engage with them.
Of further interest may be the EBU INTERGEN project (2008-2010). Funded by the Education and Culture DG of the European Commission, this project designed and conducted by EBU aims to foster intergenerational exchange of experience.
More information is available on the useful links page.