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Sight loss charity calls for more training for nurses in care homes

Nurses in care homes need more training in early sight loss interventions.
nurse with older patient

Nurses in care homes need more training in early sight loss interventions.

Research published by the sight loss charity Thomas Pocklington Trust highlights a need for training of staff in vision awareness. It also calls for the families of residents to be given more information and support to improve their loved ones’ quality of life.

Greater awareness needed

The trust’s report, Older people’s experiences of sight loss in care homes, presents the findings of a qualitative study carried out in six residential care homes and one nursing home by the University of Brighton.

They found although staff recognised the need for more awareness and training on visual impairment, many were not aware of any existing courses or where to find necessary resources. Staff claimed residents did not always like to ask for help, which increased the possibility deterioration in sight would go undetected.

The Royal National Institute of Blind People estimates half of the 400,000 older people who live in care homes have some form of sight loss.

Spotting the signs

Commenting on the findings, ophthalmic advanced nurse practitioner Janet Marsden said: ‘Nurses in support roles at care or nursing homes definitely should have training to enhance the care of residents with existing visual impairment.

‘However, they should also be taught how to spot the signs of sight loss developing in a resident without any history of problems, because early intervention is key.’

Professor Marsden, who leads on ophthalmology research at Manchester Metropolitan University, believes older people mistakenly believe vision loss is a normal part of ageing.

She added: ‘This is simply not the case, and the earlier we screen for conditions like glaucoma, cataracts and age-related macular degeneration, the sooner we can treat them.

Support is available

‘A person with dementia is already in a confused state and if they start losing their sight as well the confusion is only going to get worse. But it needs nurses to spot the reason for the increase in confusion and bring in the services and charities who can help.’

Thomas Pocklington Trust research manager Pamela Lacy said: ‘This research suggests residents’ quality of life could be positively affected by care homes connecting with their local sight loss charity to access the services on offer.’

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