IMPORTANT DATE FOR YOUR DIARY

TUESDAY, 30th JUNE, 2009

ACQUIRED SENSORY IMPAIRMENT:

CONFRONTING THE CHALLENGES FACED BY OLDER PEOPLE

In 2007 Thomas Pocklington Trust commissioned VICTAR at the University of Birmingham to research the needs and experiences of older people with acquired hearing and sight loss. This conference will share the research findings but more importantly look beyond those to actions that may better meet the needs and aspirations of people with hearing and sight loss. It offers an exciting opportunity to find out more about hearing and sight loss and how the whole range of housing, health and social care services may best support these individuals.

Most people with acquired hearing and sight loss are older – sensory impairment increases with age, often alongside other health conditions and social care needs. Our ageing population means that more people will experience the particular set of issues associated with dual sensory loss.

The research found of most concern to older people with acquired hearing and sight loss was lack of awareness and understanding among services that could (and should) support them. This conference is an important step in addressing that issue as well as other widespread concerns strongly impacting on people’s lives - such as communication, high and unmet social and emotional needs, family support, mobility problems, poor or inappropriate services, concurrent health conditions and disabilities, poor access to information on service provision and registration.

Key benefits of attending

Hear first-hand:

  • the key findings from the team at VICTAR who undertook the research
  • presentations from key people in local authorities, the NHS, training provision and voluntary organisations

Participe in interactive workshops

Network personally with others involved in your area of business

Who should attend

  • Sensory team managers and commissioners (local authority/PCT)
  • Older people team managers and commissioners (local authority/PCT)
  • Specialist and development workers in sensory impairment
  • Specialist and development workers older people
  • Audiologists and optometrists
  • Charities and other not-for-profit organisations working with the elderly and/or dual sensory impairment

Venue

University of Birmingham (Conference Park), Edgbaston, Birmingham

We welcome early bookings as there are limited spaces. To claim your “early bird discount”, please book no later than 10th March, 2009. For further information and a registration form, please contact:

Linda Hartwell at: or telephone 01474 852280