Dr. Massof’s Lecture – podcast
This link takes you to a fantastic and important lecture given by Dr. Robert Massof about a project that aims to increase the use of the long cane among older adults with visual impairments. He also reveals how Medicare is “blind” to those with low vision in their policy decisions.
Within this lecture Dr. Massof provides important statistics. For example, even a small decrease in visual acuity (VA) triples the rate of injury and death by trauma/accident in older adults.
The LONG cane is a benefit – the presentation says ‘no matter the color of the long cane’ (this project suggests pink and blue as cane colors!)- if you are an “older adult” with a change in VA there are implications of balance that make it even more important that older adults with a change in VA check the ground ahead of them for rises, drops and obstacles to prevent falls.
The message of this lecture for Seniors with Macular Degeneration is: Even a small change in visual acuity results in higher rates of death and injury among seniors. A long cane could “even the score” with those seniors who remain 20/20s!!!
This lecture is great because it reminds us that long cane’s are elegant and functional. Great lecture! Very informative. Let’s all learn to love the long cane!
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