Senior Vision Connection began in the Denver metro areas as "Families of the Blind." It promotes independence for blind and visually-impaired seniors by assisting them to adjust and adapt to vision loss in order to remain safe within their homes. There is no charge for their services.

Statistics show that after the age of 75, one in three people have severe vision problems that make it difficult to conduct their daily activities. Between the age of 65 and 75, the rate is 10 percent to 15 percent.

The program includes home assessments, adaptive aids, training, information and referral, sighted allies and support groups. They visit senior's hoome to do an assessment of their vision problems and how it affects their activities of daily living, such as cooking, cleaning, managing finances, maintaining their homes and social issues. They also check for safety issues in the home.

Senior Vision Connection has many adaptive aids to help people in their homes including tactile markers, magnifiers, applicances with large numbers, check-writing guides, talking watches, clocks and calculators, and more. They have an Adaptive Aid Fund to help low-income clients (less than $930/month for a single person, $1130/month for couples) pay for the adaptive aids.

Additionally, there are stores in the metro areas that sell vision aids. Two are the Youcan Toocan store in Aurora and Beyond Sight in Littleton. Zack Fickey of Aspen Mobility stated that his store, located in Thorton, at 8923 Washington Street, has aids to help people with low vision.

Senior Vison Connection has three vision-impaired persons on staff to provide peer counseling to clients over the telephone. They often find that clients are suffering from depression, which is common for people coping with a vision loss.

The program also has 15 Vision Connection Support Groups throughout the area. Groups range from six to 25 people, and they talk about their issues, share ideas and provide support to each other.

Senior Visions Connection is a part of Health S.E.T., a small, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that has been in Denver nearly 20 years. Health S.E.T. is funded through DRCOG, local and national foundations, grants, contributions, and client contributions. They do not charge for their services. They operate in Denver, Araphhoe, Jefferson, Adams, and Broomfield counties, but not all the services are available in all counties.

To reach the Senior Vison Connection Program, call 303.595.6641.