The purpose of this textbook is to define and describe the occupational therapy approach to low vision rehabilitation using the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework, 2nd ed. (AOTA, 2008) as the guide to evaluation and intervention. Although this textbook focuses on the older adult with acquired age-related vision loss, the principles of low vision rehabilitation are applicable to all ages.

Presents an emerging model in which occupational therapists practice as part of a team of vision rehabilitation professionals serving adults with low vision. Occupational therapists offer a unique contribution to the vision rehabilitation team, with a focus on meaningful occupational goals, the incorporation of occupation into therapy, and the orchestration of environmental, social, and non-visual personal factors into a treatment plan. The authors have developed a practical and straightforward text outlining an evaluation approach to interventions that focus on recovering occupational performance in adults.

The U.S. population is aging, and occupational therapy practitioners working with older adults must have the skills to address multiple health issues, including vision loss. Although typical aging does not cause low vision, four major causes of vision impairment are directly related to the aging process: (1) age-related macular degeneration (AMD), (2) diabetic retinopathy, (3) glaucoma, and (4) cataracts. Instances of these impairments are expected to double by the year 2050, making low vision a significant public health issue. This Practice Guideline includes occupational therapy assessment and intervention guidelines for older adults who have visual acuity impairments, visual field impairments, or both as a result of a low vision diagnosis. Screening, referral, and evaluation are covered for clients for central visual field impairments, such as AMD and cataract; peripheral field impairments, such as glaucoma, hemianopsia, and quadrantanopsia; and mixed visual field loss, such as diabetic retinopathy. This work can help occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants, as well as individuals who manage, reimburse, or set policy regarding occupational therapy services, understand the contribution of occupational therapy to treating older adults with low vision. Appendixes include selected diagnostic and billing codes and evidence tables.

The ability to see deeply affects how human beings perceive and interpret the world around them. For most people, eyesight is part of everyday communication, social activities, educational and professional pursuits, the care of others, and the maintenance of personal health, independence, and mobility. Functioning eyes and vision system can reduce an adult's risk of chronic health conditions, death, falls and injuries, social isolation, depression, and other psychological problems. In children, properly maintained eye and vision health contributes to a child's social development, academic achievement, and better health across the lifespan. The public generally recognizes its reliance on sight and fears its loss, but emphasis on eye and vision health, in general, has not been integrated into daily life to the same extent as other health promotion activities, such as teeth brushing; hand washing; physical and mental exercise; and various injury prevention behaviors. A larger population health approach is needed to engage a wide range of stakeholders in coordinated efforts that can sustain the scope of behavior change. The shaping of socioeconomic environments can eventually lead to new social norms that promote eye and vision health. Making Eye Health a Population Health Imperative: Vision for Tomorrow proposes a new population-centered framework to guide action and coordination among various, and sometimes competing, stakeholders in pursuit of improved eye and vision health and health equity in the United States. Building on the momentum of previous public health efforts, this report also introduces a model for action that highlights different levels of prevention activities across a range of stakeholders and provides specific examples of how population health strategies can be translated into cohesive areas for action at federal, state, and local levels.

Fully revised and expanded in 2018. The Occupational Therapy Toolkit 7th edition is a collection of 354 full-page illustrated patient handouts. The handouts are organized by 97 treatment guides and are based on current research and best practice. This 787 page practical resource is the BEST resource for every therapist working with physical disabilities, chronic conditions or geriatrics.

Look no further for the book that provides the information essential for successful practice in the rapidly growing field of gerontological occupational therapy! Occupational Therapy with Aging Adults is a new, comprehensive text edited by OT and gerontological experts Karen Frank Barney and Margaret Perkinson that takes a unique interdisciplinary and collaborative approach in covering every major aspects of geriatric gerontological occupational therapy practice. With 30 chapters written by 70 eminent leaders in gerontology and OT, this book covers the entire continuum of care for the aging population along with special considerations for this rapidly growing demographic. This innovative text also covers topical issues spanning the areas of ethical approaches to treatment; nutrition and oral health concerns; pharmacological issues; low vision interventions; assistive technology supports; and more to ensure readers are well versed in every aspect of this key practice area. UNIQUE! Intraprofessional and interprofessional approach to intervention emphasizes working holistically and collaboratively in serving older adults. Case examples help you learn to apply new information to actual patient situations. Questions at the end of each chapter can be used for discussion or other learning applications. Chapter on evidence-based practice discusses how to incorporate evidence into the clinical setting. Chapter on ethics provides a deeper understanding of how to address challenging ethical dilemmas. UNIQUE! Chapter on the wide range of physiological changes among the aging patient population highlights related occupational performance issues. UNIQUE! Chapter on oral health explores the challenges faced by older adults.

Advanced therapies and technologies, new service delivery methods, and care upgrades in underserved areas are translating into improved quality of life for millions with disabilities. Occupational therapy parallels this progress at the individual level, balancing short-term recovery and adaptation with long-term independence and well-being. This Second Edition of the International Handbook of Occupational Therapy Interventions builds on its ground-breaking predecessor by modelling current clinical standards rooted in scientific evidence-based practice. Its interventions are applied to a diverse range of client disabilities, with many new or rewritten chapters on workplace and vehicle accommodations, smart home technologies, end-of-life planning, and other salient topics. New introductory chapters spotlight core competencies in the field, from assessing client needs and choosing appropriate interventions to evaluating programs and weighing priorities. And for increased educational value, interactive case studies allow readers an extra avenue for honing clinical reasoning and decision-making skills. Of particular note is a new chapter providing a taxonomy—the Occupational Therapy Intervention Framework—and a validation study of its categories and concepts, delineating the occupational therapist’s roles and the expected outcomes. Intervention areas featured in the Handbook include: ● Adaptive interventions, OTs manage and facilitate clients’ adaptations. ● Learning interventions, OTs teach and the clients learn or relearn. ● Enabling interventions, OTs enable clients to be meaningfully occupied. ● Preventing interventions, OTs prevent ill-health and promote clients’ ability to sustain health in daily life. The Second Edition of the International Handbook of Occupational Therapy Interventions is career-affirming reading for all members of rehabilitation teams, including occupational and physical therapists and rehabilitation nurses. Students intending to enter this growing field and professionals working toward its continued improvement will find it useful and inspiring.

The first graduate text to address health literacy in the aging population Low health literacy is a critical issue among adults, with over one third found to have difficulty understanding such basic information as that found on prescription bottles. This is the first graduate textbook to address key health literacy issues as they affect the health and wellbeing of the aging population. Embracing a topic spanning numerous disciplines, it features a dynamic, multicontextual systems approach and includes contributions from renowned scholars and practitioners in gerontology, public health, social work, nursing, and other related fields. The text emphasizes increasing health literacy among older adults through the use of technological tools and features, the most current research, and evidence-based programs and practices. The book provides expansive coverage of the intersection of technology and health literacy, highlighting innovative approaches and discussing how to use technology with resource-limited groups. The text gives special consideration to rural, impoverished, culturally diverse, and lowliteracy elders and presents gold standard intervention programs and models. Also covered are the policy implications of programs focusing on increasing health literacy and future directions for meeting the Healthy People 2020 initiative. Case studies, review questions, learning objectives, and supplemental PowerPoint presentations will reinforce learning. Key Features: Provides a one-of-a-kind, multidisciplinary survey of the key health literacy issues of older adults Focuses on increasing health literacy across the disciplines Addresses a priority area of Healthy People 2020 Incorporates research and practice from gerontology, psychology, public health, social work, sociology, medicine, and nursing Includes case studies, review questions, learning objectives, and PowerPoint slides for assisting instructors

The Third Edition of Understanding and Managing Vision Deficits is the go-to resource that will enable occupational therapists to develop a comprehensive understanding of vision, appreciate the various effects vision problems can have on the practice of occupational therapy, and to more effectively manage patients with vision disorders. Understanding and Managing Vision Deficits: A Guide for Occupational Therapists, Third Edition is a unique collaboration from occupational therapists, optometrists, and low vision rehabilitation specialists. Dr. Mitchell Scheiman presents a unique Three Component Model of Vision that includes: Visual integrity: Includes visual acuity (clarity), the optics of the eye, and eye health Visual efficiency skills: Includes focusing, eye teaming, and eye movements Visual information processing skills: Includes the ability to analyze, interpret and respond to visual information A major emphasis of the new edition is on management of eye movement, visual information processing, visual field, and low vision problems. Therapy suggestions have been expanded and the use of computer software has been incorporated into the therapy. Some Additional Chapter Topics Include: Visual problems associated with learning disorders Visual problems associated with acquired brain injury Management of vision problems for children with special needs Low vision Features of the Third Edition: Updated figures, research, and references Incorporates current American Occupational Therapy Association Practice Framework Glossary of key terms Appendices that include a vision screening report form and low vision supplies and equipment Understanding and Managing Vision Deficits: A Guide for Occupational Therapists, Third Edition will continue to bring the professions of occupational therapy and optometry together and will guide health care professionals to provide the ultimate in patient care.

The purpose of this textbook is to define and describe the occupational therapy approach to low vision rehabilitation using the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework, 2nd ed. (AOTA, 2008) as the guide to evaluation and intervention. Although this textbook focuses on the older adult with acquired age-related vision loss, the principles of low vision rehabilitation are applicable to all ages.