Page 18 Sav Sa Sa n or Savvy Seniori r avvy Senior by Jim Miller Tips and Tools for Coping with Vision Loss Dear Savvy Senior, Can you recommend some good resources for seniors with vision loss? My husband was recently diagnosed with macular degeneration, which has deteriorated his central vision, and he’s become very discouraged. Worried Wife Dear Worried, I’m very sorry to hear about your husband’s eye condition. Unfortunately, there are about 20 million Americans living with macular degeneration today. Over time, this progressive disease can rob people of their central vision, making everyday tasks like driving a car, reading a magazine or watching television extremely challenging. Here are some tips and resources that can help. Low Vision Help If your husband hasn’t already done so, he needs to see a low-vision specialist for a comprehensive examination. Low-vision specialists are ophthalmologist or optometrist with additional credentials or specialization in low vision testing, diagnosis, and treatment. A low vision exam, which is much diff erent from a typical eye exam, will explore how your husband’s eye condition is aff ecting his day-to-day life, how he’s adapting emotionally and prescribe solutions to help him regain as much dayto-day functioning as possible. Your next step is to get your husband to a nearby vision rehabilitation service. These services, which are run by state or nonprofi t organizations, or private eye care clinics, help people with all types of uncorrectable vision impairments. Most state and nonprofi t services are free or low-cost, while private clinics typically charge a fee or may accept Medicare. While vision rehabilitation does not restore lost sight, it does help people maximize their existing sight, or, if they have no vision, it can equip them with techniques and tools to help them maintain an independent lifestyle. Services include counseling, along with training on how to perform daily living tasks with low vision, and how to use visual and adaptive devices and assistive technologies that can help improve quality of life. They also offer guidance for adapting your home that will make it safer and easier for your husband to maneuver and can help him locate low-vision support groups. Some agencies will even send their specialist out to work with him in the comfort of your own home. To fi nd a vision rehabilitation service near you ask your husband’s eye doctor for a referral, or you can locate services yourself by calling the American Printing House (APH) Connect Center at 800-232-5463. Online Tools Another convenient place to get help for your husband is online at VisionAware (VisionAware.org). This free website that’s part of the APH Connect Center is specifi cally designed for older adults new to vision loss. It provides information on eye diseases and disorders, along with dozens of practical tips, information and instructional videos on living with vision loss. These include concepts for adapting your home to make it easier to navigate, techniques for traveling safely outside the home, and various tips on how to manage things like fi nances, medications, and other tasks such as cooking, cleaning, grooming, reading, writing, doing hobbies and more. VisionAware also provides a comprehensive list of more than 2,000 low vision agencies and organizations across the country that’s searchable by state or category. Another terrifi c low vision resource that’s available to your husband is Hadley (Hadley.edu), which is a nonprofi t organization and partner of the National Eye Institute and the National Eye Health Education Program. Hadley offers online discussion groups, audio podcasts and dozens of free online workshop videos to help empower the blind and visually impaired. With Hadley, your husband will learn new ways to do things that have become more difficult due to his vision loss and connect him with a network of peers who understand what he’s going through. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, JUly 28, 2023 THE SOUNDS | FROM PAGE 17 needed to help weed and water the garden. If you would like to volunteer for an hour or so a week, or for any period of time during the summer, please call the church offi ce at 781-233-1242 or email StJohnsSaugus@gmail.com and leave a message with your contact information! 2023 Summer Concerts at the Saugus Iron Works, 244 Central St. The Saugus Public Library and the National Park Service are proud to bring another summer of music to the Saugus Iron Works. These free, weekly concerts are open to the public and begin at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesdays through August 30. The 2023 lineup: August 2: Sweet Soul Sounds (Motown). August 9: Ditto (Folk & Rock: 60s and 70s). August 16: Jumpstreet (Rock, R&B, Blues & Jazz). August 23: Headlands (Folk, Country, Americana Pop). August 30: Memorylaners (50s, 60s, 70s). Bring chairs or a blanket and a picnic! Enjoy a summer evening at the Iron Works with great music and friends! Knights of Columbus Craft Fair and Flea Market The Saugus Knights of Columbus will hold its Outdoor Craft Fair and Flea Market on Saturday, August 19. Their last events were all sold out. Reserve your space now. A 12 x 12 space costs $30. Vendors must bring their own tables and chairs. Call Paul Giannetta for reservations or info – 978239-1392. The Saugus Cultural Council seeks help The Saugus Cultural Council is recruiting new members. If you have a passion for arts, education, community engagement and building an inclusive community, feel free to apply. Please send a letter of interest and brief resume to the Saugus Board of Selectmen. The Saugus Cultural Council is a local agency funded by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency. For more information, please contact saugusculturalcouncil@gmail.com. MEG Foundation off ers Dedicated Chairs to Families The MEG Foundation Board of Directors is hoping to return former Saugus High School Library chairs, at no charge, that were originally donated to the Saugus High School Library by many families and friends, in their memory. We hope the chairs will fi nd their way back to their loved ones. We have approximately 50 dedicated chairs available to relatives. Please contact Janice Jarosz at 339-222-2178 or Linda Ross at 781-233-4607 for further information. The list includes the following Dedicated Chairs: Aubrey, Flo & Al; Favuzza, Josephine; Barry, Diane; Favuzza, Frank; Biffin, Theodore; Fioravanti, Ann; Blair, James, A.; Franlins, Beatrice T.; Bly, Belden G. Jr.; Gloria & Jackie (59); Borghetti, Joseph; Harrington, Mike; Bourgeois, Eleanor Statuto; Kelley, Maureen; Braid, Robert M.; MacNeil, Bill; Bucchiere, John; McKinney, William; Butler, Laurence; Mekalian Family; Celandes, Wilbur; Jean Henderson; Class of 1938 – Melewski, Roberta; Class of 1941 – Melewski, Sophie; Class of 1947 – Morrison, Mary A.; Class of 1960 – Moschella, Carmen Jr.; Class of 1966 – Moylan, Albert J.; Cogliano, Anthony; O’Connor, Mae & Larry; Colby, Virginia; O’Neil, Nellie; Courant, Barbara Henderson; Parrish, Charles L.; Dahlberg, Frank; Pincess, Abraham; Dahlberg, Frank and Sarah; Polese, Lisa A.; DeSteuben, Albert, Jr.; Saugus High School 2001 – Dewling, Debi Sanders; Secor, John; Diamond, Beverly; Sketchley, John; Fabrizio, Bonnie McHale; Sorenson, Andy; Fabrizio, Kenneth; Steward, Doris; Favuzza, Geraldine; Whyte, Chris. Saugus Democratic Town Committee seeks new members The Saugus Democratic Town Committee currently has openings for new members. The primary function of the Committee is the selection and support of Democratic candidates for offi ce both locally and at the state level. It also works to support voter education and voter registration. If you are a registered Democratic living in Saugus and are interested in playing an active role in the political process in Saugus as a Democrat, contact Committee Chairman Joe Malone at lincoln66in56@verizon.net. Kowloon launches outdoor dining The Kowloon Restaurant, which is located at 948 Broadway (Route 1 North), Saugus, has opened its outdoor dining venue, serving a full food and bar menu. The restaurant’s outdoor concert series has kicked off . The Kowloon Restaurant is open every day from noon till closing, and the outdoor venue is open Wednesday to Sunday from 5 p.m. to closing. Rockin’ 4 Vets concerts are coming to Kowloon! Rockin’ 4 Vets presents a classic rock Summer Sun-Days Veterans Benefi t Concert Series that will last through August 20 with Dyer, Goodwin, Chakosur and Brian Templeton – with an initiative to assist veterans’ organizations throughout Massachusetts with PTSD, addictions and homelessness. The concert series lineup includes: July 30: Johnny A. Trio, fronted by the former guitarist for Rock & Roll Hall of Fame band The Yardbirds. August 6: John Butcher with special guest Sal Baglio – led by guitarist and frontman of the Jon Butcher Axis, along with Baglio, former leader of the band The Stompers. August 13: James Montgomery’s Rhythm & Blues Revue with Christine Ohlman & Barrence Whitfi eld, hailed as a legendary New England blues performer and former member of the Johnny Winter Band. August 20: Dyer, Goodwin, Chakour with special guest Brian Templeton, longtime members who played with Joe Cocker, Tina Turner and the J. Geils Band. For tickets, go to the ticketing link gimmeLIVE.com. VIP tickets are available for preshow meet and greet with performers. Doors open at 12:15 p.m. and the shows are at 1:00 p.m. One hundred percent of the concert series’ profits will benefi t the veterans’ organizations, including: Hidden Battles Foundation, https://hiddenbattlesfoundation.org/ Massachusetts Military Support Foundation, https:// mmsfi .org/ Veterans Northeast Outreach Shelter, https:// vneoc4vets.org/ Boston Rescue Mission and 22 Mohawks, https://22mohawks.com/ Rockin’ 4 Vets, LLC is a New England-based concert promoter, who, along with Alive & Kicking Productions, are the producers for this benefi t event. Jim Tirabassi is the founder and director of Rockin’ 4 Vets, LLC. Rockin’ 4 Vets, LLC and Alive & Kicking Productions produce benefit concerts throughout New England to provide support to organizations assisting Vets with issues related to PTSD, addiction and homelessness. THE SOUNDS | SEE PAGE 19
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