Abstract:

By Abbas Riazi Phd, Lecturer, University of Medical Sciences, Iran | Catherine Bridge PhD, Associate Professor, University of NSW, Australia Many older people are living in potentially hazardous environments. People 65 years and older are at risk of more serious injury and illness among population and they use emergency and accident departments higher than young. Many factors are in association with home accidents for older people for example poor housing conditions, living alone, chronic illness, visual impairment, hearing disability and inactivity. People with visual impairment are faced with many dif.culties in their home environment related to steps, doorknobs, handle, taps, windows, slippery surfaces and poor lighting. Moving to a new home may be another stressful life change for people with visual impairment. The new home may be potentially hazardous and disorientating. This study focused at the perspective of people with visual impairment, AMD in particular, to see what is the home environment hazard from the view of this group of people who live in Sydney Australia. The researchers concluded that: There is considerable difficulties inside and outside of the home among participant with vision impairment. Environmental modification and use of appropriate assistive devices may reduce difficulties and risk of hazard outside of the home. About the Authors: Abbas Riazi PhD Lecturer, Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Catherine Bridge PhD Associate Professor, Centre for Health Assets Australia (CHAA), University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia