An Optometrist-Led Eye Care Program for Older Residents of Retirement Homes and Long-Term Care Facilities

Labreche, Tammy; Stolee, Paul; McLeod, Jordache

doi:10.5770/cgj.v14i1.3

Cited by 7 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…These results consolidate the findings from previous research, in which nurses have reported feeling inadequately trained to care for residents with sensory impairment [ 43 ], and frontline healthcare providers reported difficulties in distinguishing the relative contributions of sensory loss and dementia to breakdowns in communication [ 44 , 45 ]. Despite the evidenced sensitivity and appropriateness of some sensory screening measures in older and non-communicative populations [ 27 , 46 – 49 ], as well as the feasibility of in-service training for healthcare providers who are willing to engage in these [ 16 ], and its benefit to residents with cognitive and physical fragility [ 50 ], relevant evidence-based practice guidelines have not yet been adopted in these LTCH settings [ 51 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Research of sensory screening measures in care settings, such as nursing homes [ 9 ], retirement homes [ 15 ], and LTCHs [ 16 ], has evidenced the need for assessment and intervention for this vulnerable population. In Canada and the United States, as in many countries across Europe and Australasia, the current standard for screening residents in these settings involves the Resident Assessment Instrument – Minimum Data Set 2.0 (RAI-MDS 2.0) [ 17 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Exploring the sensory screening experiences of nurses working in long-term care homes with residents who have dementia: a qualitative study

et al. 2018

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BackgroundThe prevalence of vision and hearing loss is higher amongst older individuals with dementia, as well as higher in long-term care settings than in the wider community. However, the incidence of sensory impairment is underreported and often goes untreated. In this study, we aimed to understand nurses’ current experiences of screening and caring for long-term care residents who have dementia and sensory impairment.MethodsAs part of a larger study on the sensory screening of long-term care residents with dementia, an environmental scan was conducted with front-line healthcare providers. We report here on the findings from the content analysis of individual, semi-structured interviews with nurses working in two long-term care homes in Southern Ontario, Canada. Twenty regulated nurses, including designated resident assessment coordinators, working full- or part-time with individuals who have dementia, participated across the two sites. All interviews were transcribed, and their contents reviewed and coded for themes by means of inductive thematic analysis.ResultsFollowing a systematic and recursive approach, three analysts identified several themes relating to: 1) the sensory screening process, 2) communication strategies, and 3) quality of life, sensory loss, and dementia. Participants reported on the strengths and limitations of screening procedures, what improvements should be made, which informal strategies are effective, and the continued professional development that is needed.ConclusionsNurses demonstrated insight into the facilitators and barriers to effective screening and care of residents with dementia and sensory impairments, and expressed the need for further education, more suitable screening tools, and formalised accountability within the screening process for vision and hearing loss in these long-term care residents.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12877-018-0917-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring the sensory screening experiences of nurses working in long-term care homes with residents who have dementia: a qualitative study

et al. 2018

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“…(12) In addition, two recent clinical studies reported a high prevalence of visual deficits in older LTCF residents, (13,14) including a large proportion of individuals with cognitive deficits and communication disorders. (13) …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Perceived Needs and Availability of Eye Care Services for Older Adults in Long-term Care Facilities

et al. 2014

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BackgroundThe objective was to evaluate the eye care services offered to older residents living in long-term care facilities (LTCFs).MethodsA questionnaire targeting residents aged ≥65 years was sent to all LTCFs in Quebec. Questions related to the institution’s characteristics, demographic data related to residents, oculovisual health of residents and barriers to eye care, eye care services offered within and outside the institution, and degree of satisfaction regarding the eye care services offered to residents.Results196/428 (45.8%) LTCFs completed the questionnaire. Participating LTCFs had an average of 97.0 ± 5.1 residents with a mean age of 82.8 ± 3.0 yrs and 69% women. Eye care services were mostly offered outside the institution, on a “per request” basis. The main barriers to eye care were the perception that residents could not cooperate and the lack of eye care professionals. Most LTCFs were satisfied with the eye care services offered to residents.ConclusionsThe fact that the LTCFs were satisfied with the eye care services offered to their residents, although it was neither provided on a regular basis nor to all residents, suggests that eye care professionals should take a proactive educational role for improving services to older institutionalized adults.

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“…The second part of this review has shown that there is a high prevalence of VI in LTCF/NH residents and that several factors encountered in this geriatric population, such as cognitive impairment, confusion, or poor cooperation, may render the visual examination more challenging . Nevertheless, it has also been demonstrated that it is possible to assess oculo‐visual function in LTCF/NH residents independent of their age, cognitive status or degree of communication, and that such services are very beneficial for residents, staff and family and can be offered on a regular basis . Importantly, it has been shown that residents not having any prescription glasses were often affected by VI or legal blindness, and that a simple change of prescription eyeglasses could improve the VA, decrease very significantly the amount of VI and even change a VI to a no VI in many .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Eye care services for older institutionalised individuals affected by cognitive and visual deficits: a systematic review

Thibault

Kergoat

2016

Ophthalmic Physiologic Optic

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Purpose: The prevalence of dementia and ocular pathology increases with age and many older individuals affected by such diseases are being institutionalised. The objectives of this systematic review are to describe the level of eye care services being offered to older institutionalised individuals, present the prevalence of visual impairment in those with dementia, and describe the interventions offered to visually impaired residents with dementia. Methods: A literature review was performed in four relevant databases, limited to peer-reviewed journals published in English and French, between the years 1984 and 2014. The review targeted individuals 65 years of age or older, residing in long-term care facilities/nursing homes and affected by dementia. Only relevant articles addressing at least one of the three objectives were retained for this review. Results: The literature search identified 440 abstracts that were all read by each of the authors. After consensus, 92 articles were identified as potentially relevant and read. In the end, 28 were found to address at least one of the three objectives and were kept for the review. The results indicated that eye care services for older institutionalised individuals are sub-optimal, that the prevalence of visual impairment remains high in that population, and that interventions such as optimising the ocular refraction, performing cataract surgery, providing low vision rehabilitation and adapting the environment can be beneficial to residents.Conclusions: This systematic review demonstrated the benefits of providing regular eye care to long-term care facility/nursing home residents, including those at all levels of dementia. Additionally, it documented the benefits of various treatment modalities such as cataract surgery, staff training, environmental adaptations and visual rehabilitation for improving several aspects of the residents' quality of life. This review, however, has highlighted the fact that additional studies are required to strengthen the findings reported so far, and importantly, to evaluate the various treatment modalities described herein for residents in the most advanced stages of dementia.

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An Optometrist-Led Eye Care Program for Older Residents of Retirement Homes and Long-Term Care Facilities

Cited by 7 publications

References 15 publications

Exploring the sensory screening experiences of nurses working in long-term care homes with residents who have dementia: a qualitative study

Exploring the sensory screening experiences of nurses working in long-term care homes with residents who have dementia: a qualitative study

The Perceived Needs and Availability of Eye Care Services for Older Adults in Long-term Care Facilities

Eye care services for older institutionalised individuals affected by cognitive and visual deficits: a systematic review

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