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DON’T LET POOR EYESIGHT GET IN THE WAY OF A GOOD READ!
DON'T suffer
in silence - things are a lot clearer now for local resident Martina
McCabe! A leading high street optician in Southport says 9 out
of 10 readers over the age of 50 will require glasses to properly
read our pages because of a common eye condition known as presbyopia!
This is a problem with focusing on objects close up and is easily
detected (and remedied by glasses or contact lenses that magnify
print) via a simple eye test, but Boots Opticians research reveals
that a large proportion of affected people are still neglecting to
be checked over and struggling with their reading.
This eye opening news comes as Boots Opticians on Chapel street
re-launches itself under a ‘See Better’ banner and with a
renewed emphasis on healthcare and optimising customer vision.
David Cartwright, professional services director for Boots
Opticians, explains:- “Many over 50s, the vast majority of
whom need glasses for reading, seem to suffer in silence because
they put off having an eye examination. This means they will not be
able to effectively read near to them - and in some cases they could
be risking long term damage to their eyes by not being tested.
Putting of an examination may be because of financial worries,
concerns that an eye examination will reveal a more serious sight
problem, or simple vanity in not wanting to wear spectacles. But
there’s no need to worry - the cheapest glasses don’t cost much
these days and we also run special offers, while those claiming
benefits could also be eligible for vouchers. And if looks are a
concern, spectacles are now seen as a must-have fashion item, while
contact lenses can be a practical alternative.
Eye examinations are recommended for everyone who hasn’t visited an
optician in the last two years – and are even free for the over 60s.
They have been for a number of years now, but we’re still surprised
by the numbers who don’t seem to be aware.”
Apart from maximising one of life’s simpler pleasures in reading and
generally improving our eyesight, an eye test can even help save
your life. Among the other problems that can be detected are
diabetes, high blood pressure and even brain tumours, while the
elderly are most prone to cataracts - the most preventable form of
blindness – and to identify it earlier means it is more easily
treatable. The test can also pick up the more serious glaucoma and
arrest the condition if it’s caught in time.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is another common eye
condition and affects the macula, the delicate area at the centre of
the retina (the inner lining, light sensitive part of the eye),
which is responsible for our central vision. As we age, cells in the
macula become damaged and stop working – so driving, reading and
recognising faces becomes increasingly more difficult. |
CARING PAM RECOGNISED IN AWARDS
A carer who
uses touch alone to communicate with people in Southport who are
both deaf and blind has been named Carer of the Year for the North
West. Pam Blackley was presented with the honour at Anchor
Homes’ national Care Service Awards after receiving nominations from
staff and residents at Thomas Henshaw Court in Norwood Road. The
awards were held on Thursday 18 October 2007 at Walton Hall in
Warwickshire.
Care Assistant Pam, 67, from Kew in Southport, is renowned for the
way she looks after everyone in the home whether it’s bringing in
meals for staff on duty or going shopping for residents in her own
time. She has worked at Thomas Henshaw Court for 20 years. The home
provides care for residents with a wide range of needs including
older people and residents who are blind, deaf or have learning
difficulties. Pam has learnt to communicate with residents who are
both deaf and blind through touch alone, acting as a translator so
they can communicate with others.
The home’s manager, Anna Bradley, described her as an asset to the
home. “Pam is a very patient and caring person, helping the
residents with all sorts of things to improve their lives whilst
living at Thomas Henshaw Court. She often helps residents with
writing and posting letters and will take them out for days out in
her spare time. She always goes the extra mile to help people. She
loves to help our residents get the most out of life.
Having staff
of Pam’s calibre makes me proud to work in care and to be part of
Thomas Henshaw Court.”
Pam said she was surprised to have won the award. “I am very
pleased and shocked to have won. I didn’t expect it whatsoever. I
don’t think I do anything special really - it’s just me. The
residents here are like my family.”
There were 287 nominations in the 3 regional finals for Anchor’s
Care Service Awards which is an opportunity for staff to nominate
colleagues and to reward them for the remarkable work they do every
day.
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