Nassau County Council on Aging Press Release Submitted by Jeff McDowell Marketing Manager October 21, 2014 7:32 a.m.
Among the many challenges that people face as they age is a loss of vision. Known as Age Related Macular Degeneration or AMG, this condition is the number one cause of blindness among senior citizens. While all age-related vision loss isn’t due to AMG, it can impact the severity of normal age-related vision loss.
To learn all the facts about, and coping strategies to deal with AMG, the public is invited to attend a meeting of the newly formed Low Vision Support Group. This group will meet monthly on every third Friday at Nassau County’s Council on Aging Senior Center from 9:00 to 10:30 am. The featured speaker for this group is Dr. John McClaine, Board certified optometric physician with Fernandina Beach Coastal Vision Center. The facilitator for the group is Amy Carmego.
The take away from this support group’s meetings is the knowledge that seniors who suffer from AMG can continue to live full and independent lives. It is important to learn all there is to know about this condition and then investigate the many available resources to help seniors and their caretakers cope with the disease and its effects. This group was formed by local senior and NCCOA member Norma Butler, who visits the Senior Center, located across the street from Baptist Medical, three times week. She has lived with AMG for the past seven years, while living alone. She wants to share with others how she copes with her low vision. “NCCOA’s Low Vision Support Group members will have the opportunity to talk with others and share their common concerns, listen to guest speakers, learn about new technologies and possibly enjoy group outings.” Said Frances Bartelt, NCCOA’s Volunteer Coordinator. The Council on Aging is a 501(c)(3)non-profit agency, the highest level of charitable organization. Since 1974, we have cheerfully delivered critical services to Nassau County seniors in five categories including Meals on Wheels, COA Transportation, In-Home Care, and Adult Day Health Care, while operating two senior recreation centers. We are partially funded by government grants and donations from private individuals.
This is a great idea and the problem is more widespread in our community than we know. I will pass this along to the folks at Elder Source, in Jacksonville, where I have just been invited to become a member of their advisory board.