Low Vision Rehabilitation
Low vision rehabilitation is provided by Elsa Zavoda, a licensed occupational therapist specializing in the field of low vision.
The main goal of occupational therapy is to assist clients with aging in place and being able to maintain their independence in the home by learning to adapt to their vision loss through the use of a variety of techniques and devices.
Areas that are addressed are:
- Activities of daily living (grooming, dressing, bathing, managing medications, etc
- Home management activities (cooking, cleaning, laundry, food shopping, etc
- Financial management (check writing and recording, bank statements and bills, money management)
- Reading, writing, computer access, and vocational activities.
Clients are instructed and trained in the use of various optical devices and electronic devices as prescribed by their low vision specialist in order to perform reading and writing tasks more effectively and accurately.
Treatment also focuses on teaching clients to maximize their remaining vision with the use of alternate viewing positions to allow them to locate and access more intact areas of vision with greater ease. Clients are educated in the simple household modifications that can help them function better in the home and improve their safety, such as adjusting lighting, creating contrast, reducing clutter, and implementing an organizational/labeling system.
Referral sources are provided for a variety of services that are available in the central NJ area, such as the New Jersey Commission for the Blind, NJ Library for the Blind and Handicapped, local support groups, local transportation services, tax deductions, obtaining free 411 directory assistance, etc.
A typical course of therapy consists of an occupational therapy evaluation and four to six hour-long treatment sessions. Therapy services are provided on a once per week or once every other week basis. Therapy services are provided on-site at our Somerset location. In some cases, a home visit may be scheduled to allow the therapist to make more specific recommendations for home modifications.
Goals of treatment are established with collaboration between the client and occupational therapist in order to allow the client to achieve their desired outcomes.
Low vision rehabilitation is often covered by Medicare and private insurers, provided the client demonstrates need for the services.
