Planning a health education programme for the elderly visually impaired person –- a focus group study

Abstract

Focus group methodology was used with the aim of learning how persons with the diagnosis of age-related macular degeneration perceived and described their disease, and how the disease had changed their activities of daily living (ADL). This information is seen as critical in designing a health education programme. The focus group participants described problems in performing ADL. Factors contributing to the ADL problems were categorized as functional limitations in, and feelings about performing, ADL. The participants used a number of ADL strategies to adapt to new situations. The participants expressed uncertainty regarding whether senile macular degeneration, age-related macular degeneration and 'yellow spot' were the same disease. They expressed a desire to know more about the disease and its consequences. They particularly requested time for receiving information, and the opportunity to discuss it, as in the focus groups. This target group need a health education programme based on their own perceptions. The main issues in such a programme should be to convey information, teach ADL strategies, provide support and foster problem-solving.

Assistive devices in activities of daily living used by persons with age-related macular degeneration: A population study of 85-year-olds living at home

“…A significantly higher percentage of the participants with ARMD also used personal assistance for mobility. This also confirms earlier findings where outdoor mobility was one of the activities with which persons with ARMD have major difficulty [2]. We suggest there is a need for assistive mobility devices for persons with ARMD to remain independent.…”

“…Being independent in ADL does not mean, however, that the device users did not experience difficulties in performing ADL. In an earlier study of ARMD it was found that a first sign of ADL disability was a feeling of insecurity in performing ADL [2]. The use of assistive devices was found to be an important strategy for ensuring independence.…”

“…ARMD makes it difficult to perform daily activities and to participate in society. The use of assistive devices has been found to be one strategy that allows persons with ARMD to be independent and to participate in everyday activities [2][3][4].…”

Understanding the multiple realities of everyday life: Basic assumptions in focus-group methodology

“…In the preliminary stages the focus-group study gave an understanding of the problems in daily occupations faced by people who suffer from AMD, as well as important indications and ideas for further planning and evaluation of the health education programme (11). To further develop and improve the programme and to maximize the success, focus-group methodology was also used in a later stage as a tool for process evaluation (12).…”

Accessibility and usability in housing: construct validity and implications for research and practice

“…performance of daily activities is the result of P-E-A transactions. 5,6 More specifically, the personal component can be expressed in terms of functional capacity, 2 motivation, coping resources 7 and adaptive strategies, 8 and the environmental component as e.g. physical environmental demands in housing.…”