CONTINUED FROM PAGE 22 of self-worth ( Nyman , Dibb , Victor & Gosney , 2011 ). Furthermore , research has indicated that peer support provides participants with greater confidence in their safety outside of the home , as well as decreased feelings of loneliness or sadness related to their loss of vision ( Lanthem , 2013 ).
The Spectrios peer mentorship program was designed in accordance with the four functions of support as defined by Fisher et . al ( 2015 ). In other words , the peer mentorship program at Spectrios aimed to provide : ( 1 ) assistance with daily life and achieving goals ; ( 2 ) emotional support ; ( 3 ) shared knowledge about community resources ; and ( 4 ) ongoing support for living with a chronic condition ( Fisher et . al , 2015 ). During mentor training , participants were asked to brainstorm ideas to fulfill these aims based on their experience and knowledge . Mentors were presented with ideas for supporting their mentees as they incorporated low vision tools and compensatory strategies into their daily routines , such as creating specific action plans for goal achievement . Participants also received education regarding trauma and coping , additional information about community resources , and tips for reflecting on their own experiences to demonstrate empathy and empower mentees to advocate for themselves .
Within the first two months of the program ’ s development , eight individuals were trained as mentors , four of whom were matched with mentees based on age , similarities in vision loss , and activity / technology interests . The ages of participants ranged from mid 40s to late 80s , with many participants aged 65 and older . All mentoring sessions were conducted over the phone , ensuring that the program was accessible for individuals who have limited transportation options or are at high risk of developing serious complications if exposed to COVID-19 . Each of the four pairs engaged in at least two mentoring sessions over a one-month period . Satisfaction surveys were sent to the eight participants who made up these pairs , with responses from three mentors and one mentee .
The mentors identified the program training and resources that were provided as beneficial and reported that they felt confident in their role when they first contacted their mentee . The responding mentee reported increased confidence in her ability to complete daily activities , greater knowledge of low vision resources , and feeling more hopeful about the future . All respondents reported that they viewed their participation in the program as a valuable experience . Spectrios Institute for Low Vision plans to continue to maintain and expand the program , aligning with their mission to provide support to individuals of all ages living with vision loss .
References
Blaylock , S . E ., Barstow , B . A ., Vogtle , L . K ., & Bennett , D . K . ( 2015 ). Understanding the
occupational performance experiences of individuals with low vision . British Journal of Occupational Therapy , 78 ( 7 ), 412-421 . http :// doi : 10.1177 / 0308022615577641
Brunes , A ., B Hansen , M ., & Heir , T . ( 2019 ). Loneliness among adults with visual impairment : Prevalence , associated factors , and relationship to life satisfaction . Health and Quality of Life Outcomes , 17 ( 1 ), 24-7 . http :// doi : 10.1186 / s12955-019-1096-y
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( 2015 ). Vision Health Initiative : Common Eye Disorders . Retrieved from https :// www . cdc . gov / visionhealth / basics / ced / index . html
Chou , C ., Frances Cotch , M ., Vitale , S . Zhang , X ., Klein , R ., Friedman , D ., Saaddine , J . ( 2013 ). Age-related eye diseases and visual impairment among U . S . adults . American Journal of Preventive Medicine , 45 ( 1 ), 29-35 . http :// doi : 10.1016 / j . amepre . 2013.02.018
Fisher , E . B ., Ayala , G . X ., Ibarra , L ., Cherrington , A . L ., Elder , J . P ., Tang , T . S ., Heisler , M ., Safford , M . M ., Simmons , D ., Peers for Progress Investigator Group , & For the Peers for Progress Investigator Group . ( 2015 ). Contributions of peer support to health , health care , and prevention : Papers from peers for progress . Annals of Family Medicine , 13 Suppl 1 ( Suppl _ 1 ), S2-S8 . https :// doi . org / 10.1370 / afm . 1852
Kaldenberg , J ., & Smallfield , S . ( 2020 ). Occupational therapy practice guidelines for older adults with low vision . The American Journal of Occupational Therapy , 74 ( 2 ), 7402397010p1 . http :// doi : 10.5014 / ajot . 2020.742003
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23 Illinois Occupational Therapy Association | 2021 ISSUE 1