Saturday, November 7, 2026

3:30 PM - 3:45 PM

Ballroom 1 and 2

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Overview

Marianne Piano

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Details

Purpose: People living with dementia are at increased risk of preventable sight loss from age-related eye diseases. This risk is doubled if living in residential aged care. Our study aimed to understand how eyecare is delivered for people in residential aged care, including people with dementia. Methods: A single site observational case study was conducted in an Australian residential aged care facility. Various activities were observed: mealtimes, medication rounds, socialising, art/music therapy, physical activity, resident meetings and an optometrist visit. Micro-interviews were conducted with care staff, lifestyle team members, external activity providers and visiting allied health professionals. Thematic analysis was performed on field notes/interviews using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. Findings were reviewed by an expert reference group uniting hospital, community and long-term care perspectives on eyecare, and a project advisory group comprising people living with dementia and past/present carers. Results: Overall, 53 observation sessions were conducted. Many groups were involved in meeting eyecare needs, but nurses and the visiting optometrist had the best understanding of these needs. Some people with dementia had difficulties articulating, understanding and/or managing their eyecare needs. Principal barriers for redress were regulatory environment creating documentation burden, disparities in information access between staff and externals, and information gaps between external eyecare providers and the facility, or between floors. Conclusion: Low vision practitioners could support a dementia-friendly eyecare pathway in residential aged care through structured reporting of eyecare needs and recommended supports during care delivery and leisure activities. Staff may benefit from basic low vision training.

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Speaker