NewView Oklahoma

PROJECT PURPOSE

Evaluate statewide Long-term Care Facilities (LCFs) and Continuum of Care Retirement Communities (CCRC?s) to make facilities ?low-vision friendly? and improve quality of life for vision impaired residents. NewView will identify residents with vision impairments, train staff on low-vision practices, and adapt programs. Initial focus will be Oklahoma?s VA facilities due to the high number of veterans with vision impairments, and would extend to Oklahoma Healthcare Authority, Care Providers Oklahoma, and LCFs/CCRCs throughout the state. Propose a pilot program with State Department of Human Services Aging Division to introduce screening mechanisms to better identify seniors at risk for vision-related adverse outcomes. This would include hiring a case manager to work with DHS and partner agencies. Deliver comprehensive vision rehab services to individuals identified by the project as having a need. Establish fund to purchase low-vision devices and assistive technology for seniors to mitigate isolation and disconnection during COVID crisis. Introduce mobile low-vision clinic to serve rural and low-income Oklahomans. Purchase homes near Classen Low Vision Center to use as short-term housing for blind individuals without reliable transportation or who live outside Oklahoma City and who need ongoing vision services. Renovate Classen Low Vision Center

EVIDENCE

The CDC recently declared vision loss a public health crisis. The cost of vision loss to Oklahoma in 2020 alone was in excess of $3B. Individuals with vision loss: - Experience delayed stroke rehabilitation. - Have limited access to medical resources if they are among an ethnic minority or lower socioeconomic group. - 23% more likely to suffer from diabetes, 45% more likely to have arthritis, and 49% more likely to have mobility issues. - Are twice as likely to suffer catastrophic injuries due to a fall. - Experience longer hospital stays and high readmission rates.

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

COVID ? 19 has escalated feelings of isolation, hopelessness, and fear of loss of independence experienced by people who are blind, putting them at risk both mentally and physically. Individuals who are blind already experience social isolation and causational depression, and social distancing orders have only exacerbated these issues. Additionally, since the onset of the pandemic, social, professional, and healthcare interactions have become increasingly digital. Without adequate tools, devices, and training, individuals with vision loss are at risk of being left behind in the digital world. NewView?s comprehensive low vision rehabilitative services, assistive device training, and related therapies already greatly increase levels of independence and well-being among Oklahoma?s most vulnerable blind populations. The additional proposed statewide long-term care facility evaluations and identification program would exponentially maximize the work NewView is already doing.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

For the first five project items, NewView will track outcomes based on a set of standards developed by our Occupational Therapists and Low Vision Optometrists to best determine measurable benefits for low-vision individuals. NewView will also administer self-assessment tools to low-vision individuals to measure levels of independence before and after receiving services. For the final two project items, NewView?s leadership team will develop project benchmarks and strategic plan for implementation. Team members will then report to COO to ensure implementation strategies are met at every stage of the process.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

Able to continue operation without additional funding from the State of Oklahoma