Abstract | Populacija osoba treće životne dobi u stalnom je porastu, kako u svijetu tako i u Hrvatskoj. Kako osobe stare tako je i češća pojava funkcionalnih ograničenja nastalih uslijed oštećenja vida, sluha, ravnoteže, pamćenja te raznih kroničnih bolesti. Budući da se najčešći uzročnici oštećenja vida, makularna degeneracija povezana s dobi, glaukom i dijabetička retinopatija, javljaju u starijoj dobi postavlja se pitanje kako navedane očne bolesti i njihova simptomatologija, zajedno s dodatnim utjecajnim teškoćama uzrokovanim raznim kroničnim bolestima i drugim čimbenicima, utječu na funkcioniranje, odnosno kretanje starijih osoba. Ta saznanja posebno mogu koristiti stručnjacima koji provode rehabilitaciju osoba oštećena vida, a posebice instruktorima orijentacije i kretanja. Stoga je cilj ovog diplomskog rada, pregledom postojeće literature, opisati vodeće uzročnike gubitka vida u starijoj dobi te utjecaj pripadajuće simptomatologije na orijentaciju i kretanje. Cilj je također opisati moguće zdravstvene teškoće osoba treće životne dobi te utjecaj ostalih faktora na kretanje kao i navesti moguće strategije i prilagodbe u radu koje mogu utjecati na uspješnost orijentacije i kretanja starijih osoba oštećena vida. Sumirajući rezultate različitih istraživanja, došlo se do zaključka kako instruktori orijentacije i kretanja u radu sa starijim osobama oštećena vida trebaju koristiti pristup u čijem središtu se nalazi sam korisnik. U obzir trebaju uzeti i specifične ciljeve starijih osoba, emocionalne i psihičke smetnje uzrokovane gubitkom vida, društvene i okolinske faktore. Od prilagodbi u radu preporuča se korištenje andragoškog pristupa poučavanju, češća ponavljanja, kraće trajanje satova treninga, prilagodbe u načinu izvođenja određenih tehnika bijelog štapa, ohrabrivanje, informiranje i uključenje članova obitelji, rad na podizanju motivacije i sampouzdanja, prilagodbe okoline u cilju što samostalnijeg kretanja i sprječavanja padova.
Starije osobe, oštećenje vida, orijentacija i kretanje |
Abstract (english) | The population of elderly people in the world, as well as in Croatia, has been growing steadily. As people age, functional limitations caused by impairments of vision, hearing, balance, memory and various chronic diseases ensue. Since the most common causes of visual impairment such as age related macular degeneration, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy occur in old age, the question is how these eye diseases and their symptoms, combined with additional influential difficulties caused by various chronic diseases and other factors affect functioning or the mobility of the elderly. This information might prove useful to experts who conduct the rehabilitation of visually impaired people, especially to orientation and mobility instructors. Therefore, the aim of this thesis is, by reviewing the existing literature, to describe the leading causes of vision loss in old age and the impact of the associated symptomatology on orientation and mobility. Thesis also aims to describe the possible health problems of the elderly and the impact of other factors on mobility as well as indicate possible strategies and adjustments that may affect the success of orientation and mobility of elderly with impaired vision. Summing up the results of various studies, it was concluded that instructors of orientation and mobility, working with elderly people with impaired vision, should use the approach in which focus is the user himself. Also, orientation and mobility instructors have to take into account specific objectives of older people, emotional and psychological disturbances caused by the loss of vision, as well as social and environmental factors. Adjustments which are recommended for working with visually impaired elderly include: using andragogical approach to teaching, frequent repetitions, shorter duration of orientation and mobility lessons, necessary adjustments when implementing certain white cane techniques, encouragement, informing and inclusion of family members, motivation and self-confidence boosting, environmental adaptations that facilitate independent mobility and prevent falls. |