The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #61259

Barbara Litke, MA, Director of Administration, The Jewish Guild for the Blind, 15 West 65th Street, New York, NY 10023, 212-769-6212, blitke@jgb.org and Cathleen Wirts, MS, Jewish Guild for the Blind, Vice President,, Planning and Program Development, 15 W. 65 St, New York, NY 10023.

The Jewish Guild for the Blind will undertake to identify barriers to physical activity for persons over 50 years of age with low vision and implement strategies to overcome these barriers. We intend to develop a model program that can be easily replicated by organizations in urban communities. Our strategies will combine intervention via medical systems and community organizations to address the formidable barriers that serve to limit activity for persons over 50 with low vision. When vision loss occurs the level of physical activity diminishes. Without interventions, those with low vision often become fearful and insecure, both indoors and out of doors; rely on caregivers to handle household chores and shopping, and limit travel. Vision loss often coexists with other health problems including diabetes, hypertension and stroke. While these co-morbidities may create additional barriers to physical activity, activity is also essential to maintaining as healthy a lifestyle as possible.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of this session, the participant will be able to:
• Identify barriers that prevent persons over 50 with low vision from participating in physical activity.
• Develop strategies to overome these barriers.
• Describe a series of physical actvity options that will be safe and appealing to persons with low vision.

Keywords: Physical Activity, Aging

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.