Apartment remodeled to assist visually impaired

Looks are everything at a new kind of apartment unveiled Monday at The Inn at Garden Plaza retirement community.

Believed to be a first, the “vision enhancement” apartment was remodeled to deal with the challenges of living with macular degeneration.

The model displays key changes that will help seniors with vision limitations of macular degeneration live more independently. The options will be available to incoming residents, or residents currently living in the apartment building.

Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness for those aged 55 and older in the United States, affecting more than 10 million Americans, according to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation’s website, www.macular.org. That number will increase as the population ages.

The incurable disease causes blurring of the central vision, making it difficult or impossible to do things such as reading and driving. The disease doesn’t alter side vision. However, faces are harder to recognize, and it becomes increasingly difficult to see objects when there isn’t much contrast, such as a dark-colored pen on a black countertop.

The project started when Jan Jones, senior sales director at The Inn at Garden Plaza and The Bridge, saw a need for apartments designed specifically for people with impaired vision from macular degeneration.

Nan Drobnick, a vision rehabilitation therapist with Peak Vista’s Second Sight program, contributed her expertise. A longtime resident offered her experiences with dealing with the disease. Sophia Bower, director of environmental services, and her team were responsible for the physical remodel, which took about two weeks.

Doors and windows are outlined in contrasting colors. Outlets also are contrasting colors, making them easier to find. Appliances, including the thermostat and microwave, share information vocally.

The knobs that operate the stove heating elements have raised markings to signify the “off” position. Special low-watt light bulbs conserve energy while giving off strong light well suited for those with visual impairments.

Jeanne Long, 83, has lived at The Inn at Garden Plaza for seven years. She has macular degeneration, but it doesn’t keep her from living an active life. She travels extensively and she leads a monthly low vision support group.

Long offered her own experiences as ideas and plans for the special apartment were hammered out.

“What they’ve done is just marvelous,” she said. “I was thrilled to death with it and wish it were mine.”

Long said the contrasts in colors and textures make a big difference in being able to see things and will help some people regain independence.

Even before the official ribbon cutting Monday, there was interest from two current residents and one new resident for the apartment options, said Connie Johnson, The Inn at Garden Plaza and The Bridge campus director.

The changes to the model one-bedroom apartment cost $1,650. The cost to residents who want the enhancements will vary depending on the size of the unit.

“It’s hard to put a cost on that because it changes their lives,” Johnson said.

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Contact the writer at 636-0162.