WBRC 2015 Annual Review Now Available

Photo: Cover of the 2015 WBRC Review Newsletter

The 2015 WBRC Review has just been published and is available online.  The 'WBRC Review' is a Fiscal Year (FY) review of the Western Blind Rehabilitation Center (WBRC) for stakeholders including former and current students, prospective students, family and caregivers, VA staff and volunteers, and anyone interested in learning about low vision and blind rehabilitation services available to Veterans and Active Duty Service Members through the VA Palo Alto Health Care System.  The FY 15 edition includes information about the WBRC including outcome measures and demographics as well as articles about our building construction, special programs, WBRC's new 4 week 'Matter of Balance' fall prevention inpatient program, WBRC's new faces, and how to stay up-to-date with WBRC news.  The WBRC Review will also be printed and mailed to WBRC students who attended the program during FY 15 as well as to prospective and scheduled students.  It will also be used for WBRC outreach and is available to all stake holders online on the WBRC Website and WBRC Blog.

CLICK HERE to view the PDF Version

CLICK HERE to view the TEXT only Version

CLICK HERE to view the WBRC Website

VAPAHCS Notes National Glaucoma Awarness Month

Photo: A VAPAHCS Optometrist completes an eye exam with a Veteran

The VAPAHCS Website noted National Glaucoma Awareness Month this January, which is the best time to remind all Veterans to take preventative measures to maintain good eye health. 

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the world. As one of the leading causes of blindness, glaucoma affects more than three million people in America and more than 280,000 Veterans. It is also known as the "sneaky thief of sight" because a person may not be aware that they have glaucoma and have lost a significant amount of vision irreversibly before they are diagnosed and treated.

What is glaucoma?

According to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that cause progressive and irreversible damage to the optic nerve. The optic nerve is similar to a cable with millions of connections, carrying images from the eye to the brain. Glaucoma can gradually steal sight without warning. Characteristically, the loss of vision is in the peripheral vision, but if untreated and uncontrolled, the vision loss progresses to “tunnel-vision,” and can lead to total loss of vision in end-stage glaucoma.

There are two main types of glaucoma: primary open-angle glaucoma and angle-closure glaucoma. They are determined by the anatomy of the patient’s eye and treatment is dependent on the type of glaucoma. Secondary glaucoma is the result of another disease that causes or contributes to increased eye pressure that may damage the optic nerve.

Regular Eye Screening is Important

Dr. Patricia Ferrell, an ophthalmologist who specializes in glaucoma treatment at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System, recommends everyone to have your eyes screened regularly, especially if you are at high risk for glaucoma. High risks include a family history of glaucoma, being African-American, and aging. “Having your eyes dilated is an important part of your eye exam, which can help to detect glaucoma early,” says Dr. Ferrell.

While more common among older adults, glaucoma can occur at any age for various genetics or disease-related reasons or from trauma. Early diagnosis and good follow-up in those who have glaucoma or are suspected of having glaucoma are key ways to maintaining vision and preventing permanent loss of vision from glaucoma.

How Does VAPAHCS Contribute to Glaucoma Awareness and Treatment? 

VAPAHCS offers glaucoma treatment along with general and other specialized care within Optometry and Ophthalmology services. 

 

According to Dr. Ferrell, the VAPAHCS services are able to provide full care for the various types of glaucoma. This can be difficult for patients dependent on the private sector to obtain due to costs. However, at VAPAHCS, treatment options are available to the Veteran without worrying if the patient can afford them. This is usually true for many VAPAHCS services because issues of dealing with insurance companies or copays are either minimal or non-existent for most Veterans. 

What Services Are Available if I do have Vision Loss?

If you are a Veteran or Active Duty Service Member who has Glaucoma or any type of vision loss, the VA has a variety of vision rehabilitation services available.  The first step is to contact a Visual Impairment Services Team (VIST) Coordinator to see what services and benefits are the best fit for you and your needs.  The Palo Alto VIST Coordinator, Elizabeth Silowitz, is available by phone at 650-852-3431. 

One of the services provided to visually impaired individuals is the Annual VIST Review. This is a yearly examination to assess the Veteran's adjustment to sight loss, current vision, hearing, and health. Based on information collected during the VIST review, Veterans may be referred for training and/or services to address their needs. The Palo Alto VIST Program also offers benefit reviews, support groups, community activities, and presentations to agencies regarding vision loss. For individuals who have experienced vision loss due to a brain injury or stroke, the Palo Alto Polytrauma VIST program provides referrals to specialty training programs to address vision loss caused by brain injury.
 

Many of the rehabilitation programs offered at the VA assess, train, and issue to Veterans with vision loss adaptive items which may include magnification devices, a large print or talking computer system, adaptive technology, canes, watches, talking paper currency identifiers, audible prescription readers, and adapted recreational equipment and both inpatient and outpatient treatment is available.
 

Referral Services
Referrals for services may include, but are not limited to:

• VA Inpatient Blind Rehabilitation Training (WBRC)
• VA outpatient services (VICTORS & BROS)
• Comprehensive Neurological Vision Rehabilitation (CNVR)
• Low Vision Services
• Adapted Computer Technology Training
• Community/State Agencies
• Library of Congress Talking Book Program
• Paratransit Services
• Adapted Recreational Programs

 
CLICK HERE to learn more about VIST

CLICK HERE to learn more about the WBRC

WBRC Alumnus Preps for 2015 Golden Aged Games

WBRC is excited to cheer on several of our alumni as they prepare to go to the 2015 Golden Aged Games starting August 7th! 
 
The National Veterans Golden Age Games is the premier senior adaptive rehabilitation program in the United States, and the only national multi-event sports and recreational seniors’ competition program designed to improve the quality of life for all older Veterans, including those with a wide range of abilities and disabilities. The VA Challenges and encourages senior Veterans to be proactive in embracing a healthier lifestyle.  The games are open to Veterans, ages 55 or older, who receive health care from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. 

Click on the image above to view a YouTube video featuring one of the participants.  Go Bears!

CLICK HERE to learn more about the Golden Aged Games

CLICK HERE to read a WBRC Alumnus Interview from the 2014 Golden Aged Games

WBRC Welcomes New CATs Instructor

Photo: Matthew Vitale, new WBRC CATs Instructor

WBRC is proud to announce that Matthew Vitale has accepted the position of WBRC Computer Access Training (CATs) Instructor.  Mr. Vitale started on June 1, 2015.  He completed his Master’s Degree in Orientation and Mobility (O&M) at Western Michigan University in May of 2015.  Matthew completed his Graduate Level O&M internship at the WBRC earlier this year and is an ACVREP certified O&M Specialist (COMS).  Welcome to the WBRC Team Matt!

CLICK HERE to learn more about WBRC's Computer Access Training Program

2014 WBRC Annual Review Available Online

Photo: Cover of the 2014 WBRC Review

The 2014 WBRC Review has just been published and is available online.  The ‘WBRC Review’ is a Fiscal Year (FY) review of the Western Blind Rehabilitation Center (WBRC) for stakeholders including former and current students, prospective students, family and caregivers, VA staff and volunteers, and anyone interested in learning about low vision and blind rehabilitation services available to Veterans and Active Duty Service Members through the VA Palo Alto Health Care System.  The FY 14 edition  includes information about the WBRC including outcome measures and demographics as well as articles about our building construction, special programs, WBRC New Faces, and how to stay up-to-date with WBRC News.  The annual fiscal year ‘Review’ will also be printed and mailed to WBRC students who attended the program during FY 14 as well as to prospective and scheduled students.  It will also be used for WBRC outreach and is available to all stakeholders online on the WBRC Website and WBRC Blog. 

CLICK HERE to view the PDF Version

CLICK HERE to view the Text Only Version

CLICK HERE to view the WBRC Website

February is Low Vision Awareness Month

Photo: A WBRC Veteran learns to use a CCTV to read printed material. 

Here's eye-opening news: Currently, 4.2 million Americans ages 40 and older are visually impaired. Of these, 3 million have low vision. By 2030, when the last baby boomers turn 65, the number of Americans who have visual impairments is projected to reach 7.2 million, with 5 million having low vision.

For the millions of people who currently live or will live with low vision, the good news is there is help. Vision rehabilitation can make a big difference to a person adjusting to vision loss and should be considered a key part of a patient’s overall care.

Vision rehabilitation can include the following:

• Training to use magnifying and adaptive devices
• Teaching new daily living skills to remain safe and live independently
• Developing strategies to navigate around the home and in public
• Providing resources and support

But, what is low vision? Low vision is when even with regular glasses, contact lenses, medicine, or surgery, people have difficulty seeing, which makes everyday tasks difficult to do. Activities that used to be simple like reading the mail, shopping, cooking, and writing can become challenging.

Most people with low vision are age 65 or older. The leading causes of vision loss in older adults are age related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, cataract, and glaucoma. Among younger people, vision loss is most often caused by inherited eye conditions, infectious and autoimmune eye diseases, or trauma.

For people with low vision, maximizing their remaining sight is key to helping them continue to live safe, productive, and rewarding lives.

The first step is to seek help.

For Veterans and Active Duty Service Members with vision loss there are a wide range of resources available through the VA Health Care System. The first step is contacting one of the VA’s VIST Coordinators.

The Visual Impairment Services Team (VIST) Coordinators are case managers who have responsibility for the coordination of services for visually impaired Veterans and active duty Service Members.  VIST coordinator duties include providing and/or arranging the provision of appropriate treatment in order to enhance functioning such as making referrals to Blind Rehabilitation Centers, Blind Rehabilitation Outpatient Services, VICTORS, VISOR, and low vision clinics.  Other VIST coordinator duties include identifying newly identified individuals who have severely disabling visual impairment, providing counseling, problem resolution, arranging a review of benefits and needed services, and conducting educational and outreach programs relating to VIST and blindness.

Veterans and eligible active duty Service Members should contact the VIST Coordinator in the VA facility nearest their home or by contacting the Blind Rehabilitation Service Program office at 202-461-7317. 

The VAPAHCS VIST Website is also an excellent resource and can be viewed by CLICKING HERE.

April Construction Updates

Photo: B-500 Siding Panels begin installation on the west side of the building.

Construction crews of the new Polytrauma and Blind Rehabilitation Center (B-500) have begun installation of the windows and the siding panels on the exterior of the building. The new center will overlap the original WBRC footprint on the Palo Alto VAPAHCS campus. This will be the VA's first and only Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center to be combined with a Blind Rehabilitation Center.

Photo: B-500 windows begin installation on the east side of the building.

 At 174,000 square feet, this new facility is the largest consolidated rehabilitation center in the VA and will include 24 beds for the polytrauma program, 32 beds for the blind rehabilitation program, and 12 beds for the polytrauma transitional rehabilitation program. The center will also have an outpatient physical therapy/occupational therapy clinic, an outpatient physical medicine and rehabilitation clinic, and clinical programs for Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom Veterans.

Image: Draft Rendering of the finished B-500 front entrance area.

Construction is anticipated to complete in late 2014 with the building becoming operational in Spring of 2015.

CLICK HERE to view additional construction pictures

CLICK HERE for construction updates

CLICK HERE to read the project's news release

WBRC Hosts Northern California Regional Meeting

John Kingston, WBRC CNVR Coordinator, presents on the CNVR Program.

The Western Blind Rehabilitation Center hosted a Northern California Regional Meeting for VA Blind Rehabilitation Service staff members August 1st and 2nd, 2012.  Participants included VIST Coordinators, Blind Rehabilitation Outpatient Specialists (BROS), National Program Consultants, Advanced Low Vision Clinic staff, and WBRC therapists and administrators.  Blind Rehabilitation Service staff members also participated by a V-Tel video conference system from as far as Washington DC and Hawaii.

Constance Marsh, WBRC TCF Intern, in conversation with a visiting BROS.

The two day conference style meeting included presentations, in services, work groups, and brain storming sessions.  Blind Rehabilitation Outpatient Specialist participated in several hands-on in-services with devices such as the Milestone, Sarah OCR, and iPhone/iPad.  Session presentations included specialty programs, CNVR, Research and Outcomes.  The meeting also fostered increased communication throughout the Blind Rehabilitation Service, including sharing best practices and developing ideas for future service delivery to the blind and low vision Veteran community.

CLICK HERE to learn more about VA Blind Rehabilitation Services

WBRC Technology Update: TeleHealth System

A patient and his medical provider communicate via Video Technology Conferencing (VTC).

WBRC excitedly moves another step forward into applying technology for “providing the right care in the right place at the right time” to our veterans and active duty service members.

The VA initiative to increase access to care services for those living in rural and medically under-served areas is now being explored and developed at the WBRC for those with visual impairment and blind through the use of the “TeleHealth” programs.

Currently offered in established programs in TeleAudiology, TeleCardiology, Tele-SCI/D-Spinal Cord Injury/Disorder, and PolyTrauma Network (PTN) and others, the use of electronic devices such as computers, and videoconferencing, allows healthcare interventions, examinations and timely contact with providers for care of veterans in different locations.  These electronic devices can eliminate unnecessary travel to clinics or hospitals.

Many low vision clinics and providers offer electronic transmission of pictures of retinal examinations of a patient in one place to examination and diagnosis by an optometrist or ophthalmologist at a different location.  An expansion of application of this type of technology is now being developed for other care service needs of the visually impaired or blind related to visual diagnosis to maintain maximum independence and maximum self care management of the eye disorder in conjunction with other medical conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and medication management.  Adaptive accessibility of  “TeleHealth “  programs is being explored for ease of use by the visually impaired or blind veteran.

WBRC is planning to incorporate their new TeleHealth system in a variety of ways such as including VIST coordinators and/or family members into treatment planning meetings, family training programs, post-discharge consults, and employee training to name a few.  If you have any ideas as to how the use of technology available in TeleHealth could help benefit you or those veterans you know who are visual impaired or blind, or if you want to learn more about “TeleHealth” contact WBRC Nurse Manager Richard Wing RN at richard.wing@va.gov or call WBRC 650-493-5000, select Menlo Park, then enter ext. 24627.

CLICK HERE to learn more about TeleHealth in the VA

Written by: Richard Wing, WBRC Nurse Manager

WBRC Hosts Open House

The Western Blind Rehabilitation Center (WBRC) recently hosted an Open House Event for local Alumni, invited VAPAHCS Employees, and VA Blind Rehabilitation Staff in Northern California.  The event included 60-minute group tours of the new center which incorporated education about each skill area, prosthetics, and specialty programs.  The event also included light refreshments and a slideshow of WBRC through the years.  

Photos of the WBRC Open House, details follow below.

 

WBRC Open House photographs clockwise from top left: John Kingston educates a group on the CNVR  program and demonstrates use of the Neuro Vision Technology light system; Rosalyn Conanan orients VA staff using a tactile map of the new building; Kristen Collins educates a group on adaptive medical equipment; Cory Tschogl (right) and Daniel Penrod (left) demonstrate visual aids and provide written materials to their tour.