Resource List for Supporting Individuals Who Are Blind/ Low Vision

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 Caring for a loved one who requires assistance and has vision loss requires support, knowledge, and access to reliable resources. This comprehensive resource list is specifically designed to assist caregivers by providing practical solutions, emotional guidance, and access to specialized services. Whether you are looking for expert tips on daily living, tools to navigate challenges or ways to improve the quality of life for individuals with vision loss, this guide offers valuable insights. Empower yourself as a caregiver with the information and strategies needed to make a meaningful difference in your loved one’s life. 

Audrey Demmitt, R.N., VisionAware Peer Support Group Advisor, shares the following resources: 

Support for Families and Caregivers 

• VisionAware Families and Friends provides useful help for family members. VisionAware also has a Directory of Services and information on living with vision loss. 

• Caregiver Action Network (CAN) provides support group forums, videos, tip sheets, and resources on all aspects of caregiving. 

• Caring.com offers information, advice, tools, and support for caregivers. 

• Care.com has an online marketplace where you can hire a caregiver or be a caregiver for children, adults, seniors, homes, and pets. Find daycare, respite care, light housekeepers, help with errands, and other services in your area. 

• Covia Well Connected is a “senior center without walls” for older adults who are homebound or isolated. It provides free programs for entertainment, learning, community, and support groups over the phone or computer. 

Legal Resources 

• The ADA National Network offers information, guidance, and training on the Americans with Disabilities Act. 

• Patient Advocate Foundation provides mediation and arbitration services to remove obstacles to healthcare, including medical debt crisis and insurance access issues. 

Aging Services and Resources 

• The National Association of Area Agencies on Aging provides a directory of local Area Agency on Aging to learn about available aging services and resources.    

• Eldercare Locator has a database for locating local resources for older adults and their families by searching for your zip code and specific topics. 

Transportation Options 

• Rides in Sight has a database of transportation options for seniors and people with disabilities. 

• GoGoGrandparent provides fast, affordable senior transportation with 24/7 service and tools for family members. 

Healthcare and Prescription Assistance 

• RX Assist offers a comprehensive database of patient prescription assistance programs to help manage medication costs. 

• Medicare Rights Center (800) 333-4114 offers a consumer-friendly website and call center to help you better understand what Medicare covers and doesn’t and answer your specific questions. 

• Scriptability helps manage medications by providing talking or large-print prescription labels for people with vision loss. 

Nutrition and Meal Assistance 

• Feeding America is a U.S. hunger relief organization that helps provide low-income individuals and families with the fuel to survive, addressing food insecurity, scarcity, and hunger. 

• Food and Nutrition Service offers Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP/food stamps) and other food assistance programs. 

• Meals on Wheels contains information about local, community-based Senior Nutrition Programs in all 50 U.S. states and the U.S. Territories. 

Respite Care and Support 

• National Respite Locator helps you find programs and providers of respite care in your area. 

Don’t hesitate to explore these services and take advantage of the support that can make a meaningful difference in your caregiving experience.