This article discusses the problems associated with providing appropriate high-quality orientation and mobility (O&M) services to older persons with visual impairments, including problems in attitudes, characteristics, financial considerations, in-service training, and the availability of age-appropriate assessment instruments. It also reviews research on interventions related to O&M and considerations in developing O&M strategies for older persons.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
AikenL.R. (1981). Problems in testing the elderly.Educational Gerontology, 5, 119–124.
2.
Arkansas Enterprises for the Blind. (1977). Research and demonstration project providing vocational rehabilitation for older blind individuals (No. 30–P–6500 4/6).
3.
AschC. (1980). Training senior citizen centers staff in blind rehabilitation techniques.Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 74, 183–185.
4.
BaltesM.M., HonnS., BartonE.M., OrzechM., & LagoD. (1983). On social ecology of dependence and independence in elderly nursing home residents: A replication and extension.Journal of Gerontology, 38, 556–564.
5.
BarneyJ.L. (1983). A new perspective on nurses’ aid training.Geriatric Nursing, 4(1), 44–48.
6.
BarrettJ.H. (1972). Gerontological psychology.Springfield, IL: Charles C Thomas.
7.
BeckerS.W., LambertR.W., SchulzE.M., WrightB.D., & BurnetD.L. (1985). An instrument to measure the activity level of the blind.International Journal of Rehabilitation Research, 8, 415–424.
8.
BentzL. (1987). Caring for and communicating with blind and visually impaired elderly persons.Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 81, 326–327.
BurgioL.D., BurgioK.L., EngelB.T., & TiceL.M. (1985). Increasing mobility in elderly nursing home patients (abstract).The Gerontologist, 25, 260.
11.
CarneyJ.R. (1970). An orientation and mobility program for the geriatric blinded adult.New Outlook for the Blind, 64, 285–286.
12.
CraigT.J. (1982). Ethical aspects of primary preventive measures among institutionalized elderly.Journal of American Geriatrics Society, 30, 475–476.
13.
DautermanW.L. (1972). Stanford multimodality imagery test.New York: American Foundation for the Blind.
14.
DavisH.R. (1973). Four ways to goal attainment: An overview.Evaluation, 1(2), 43–48, 95.
15.
de VriesH.A. (1980). Physiology of exercise and aging. In Lesnoff-CaravagliaG. (Ed.), Health care of the elderly (pp. 207–220). New York: Human Services.
16.
FoyC.J., KirchnerD., & WapleL. (1991). The Connecticut Precane.Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 88, 85–86.
17.
FranklinJ.L., & ThrasherJ.H. (1976). An introduction to program evaluation.New York: John Wiley & Sons.
18.
FuhrerM.J. (Ed.) (1987). Rehabilitation outcomes: Analysis and measurement.Baltimore: Paul H. Brooks.
19.
GreigD.E., WestM.L., & OverburyO. (1986). Successful use of low vision aids: Visual and psychological factors.Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 80, 985–988.
20.
HammermanS., & MaikowskiS. (Eds). (1981). The economics of disability: International perspectives.New York: Rehabilitation International.
HensleyM. (1987). Rehabilitation in daily living skills: Effects.Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 81, 330.
23.
HillE.W. (1986). Orientation and mobility. In SchollG.T. (Ed.), Foundations of education for blind and visually handicapped children and youth (pp. 315–340). New York: American Foundation for the Blind.
24.
HillM.-M., & HarleyR.K. (1984). Orientation and mobility for aged visually impaired persons.Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 76, 49–53.
25.
KaplanJ., & FordC.S. (1975). Rehabilitation for the elderly: An eleven-year assessment.The Gerontologist, 15, 393–397.
26.
LampreyH., & LarluckM. (1984). Rehabilitation of the elderly blind.Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 78, 324–326.
27.
LobuttsJ.E. (1977). Comprehensive services to the disabled elderly blind. Final report. Charleston: West Virginia Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.
28.
LongR.G. (1991). The effect of age and visual impairment on independent outdoor mobility: Final report (Grant No. 133GH70038). Atlanta, GA: Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
29.
MarrisP. (1978–79). Conversation, innovation and old age.International Journal of Aging & Human Development, 9(2), 127–135.
30.
McDanielJ. (1976). Physical disability and human behavior (2nd ed.). New York: Pergamon Press.
31.
NosekM.A. (1987). Outcome analysis in independent living. In FuhrerM.J. (Ed.), Rehabilitation outcomes: Analysis and measurement. (pp. 71–83). Baltimore: Paul H. Brooks.
32.
OkunM.A., & di VestaF.J. (1976). Cautiousness in adulthood as a function of age and instructions.Journal of Gerontology, 31, 571–576.
33.
Professional Issues Committee, Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired. (1990). The orientation and mobility assistant (position paper, O&M Division 9).RE:view, 21, 69–78.
34.
RappS., & CarlsonC. (1987). Attitudes toward exercise in institutions for elderly residents.Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 81, 328–329.
35.
RoesslerR.T., & BooneS.E. (1977). Life outlook and goals of the visually impaired.Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 71, 459–462.
36.
SachsD.A. (1975). Behavioral techniques in a residential nursing home facility.Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 6, 123–127.
37.
SchaieK.W., & SchaieJ.P. (1977). Clinical assessment and aging. In BirrenJ.E., & SchaieK.W. (Eds.), Handbook of the psychology of aging. (pp. 692–724). New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold.
38.
SperbeckD.J., & WhitbourneS.K. (1981). Dependency in the institutional setting: A behavioral training program for geriatric staff.The Gerontologist, 21, 268–275.
39.
StegerH.G. (1976). Understanding the psychological factors in rehabilitation.Geriatrics, 31(5), 68–73.
40.
StrawL.B., & HarleyR.K. (1991). Assessment and training in orientation and mobility for older persons: Program development and testing.Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 85, 291–296.
41.
StrawL.B., & HarleyR.K. (in press). A program in orientation and mobility for older visually impaired persons.Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness.
42.
U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. (1977). Elderly people: The population 65 years and over.Health: United States: 1976–1977 (No. 60). Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office.
43.
UslanM.M., HillE.W., & PeckA.F. (1989). The profession of orientation and mobility in the 1980s: The AFB competency study.New York: American Foundation for the Blind.
44.
WhitmanT.L., ScibakJ.W., & ReidD.H. (1983). Behavior modification with the severely and profoundly retarded: Research and application.New York: Academic Press.
