Effectiveness of an Education Program for Informal Caregivers of Individuals With Visual Impairment

Due to the aging population, the prevalence of visual impairment is expected to double by 2050 (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024). Additionally, as the population ages, the need for informal caregiving by family and friends due to chronic diseases may increase, leading to a greater need for intervention focused on caregivers (National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention & Health Promotion, 2019). Limited research focuses on caregivers within the low-vision population, and no community programs have been identified to be geared toward their specific needs. However, structured group programs focused on providing information and support can improve confidence in caregivers (Enoch et al., 2021). The evidence-based project aims to examine if a formal caregiver education program will increase confidence in informal caregivers of individuals with vision loss. The project used a pretest-posttest survey design to measure confidence. Participants were recruited at a low-vision clinic at the project’s community-based site. Inclusion criteria included informal caregivers of individuals diagnosed with macular degeneration, glaucoma, or diabetic retinopathy, 18 years or older, English speaking, access to the Internet and computer, and ability to attend one in-person session. The project collected data through a self-created pretest and posttest survey. Descriptive statistics were used to determine the project outcomes. Results demonstrated increased caregiver confidence in supporting the independence of care recipients in their daily lives and coping with the role’s demands. The results of this evidence-based project can add to the growing knowledge of occupational therapy’s role in low vision and improving caregiver quality of life. This proposal is essential to occupational therapy practice because it demonstrates the potential of providing similar community-based programs to ensure family caregivers have the support and resources they need.

References

Enoch, J., Dickinson, C., & Subramanian, A. (2021). What support is beneficial for caregivers of individuals with vision impairment? Clinical and Experimental Optometry, 104(4), 455–470. https://doi.org/10.1080/08164622.2021.1878814

National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. (2019). Caregiving for family and friends: A public health issue. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.cdc.gov/aging/caregiving/caregiver-brief.html

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Fast facts: Vision loss. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.cdc.gov/vision-health/data-research/vision-loss-facts/index.html