RESEDA : Program Helps Sight-Impaired Senior Citizens

“Anybody have to help you remember how to wash dishes?” memory and fitness expert Debbi Harper asked the 20 senior citizens attending the Braille Institute’s weekly Senior Outreach program at the Reseda Valley Senior Service Resource Center.

“No, but I wish they would,” came the reply.

Harper’s laughter-filled presentation and a potluck lunch were all part of the institute’s final meeting this summer. The free program, which is open to all sight-impaired senior citizens, offers arts and crafts, exercises and regular lectures.

“Our lectures are designed to increase independent living skills like mobility and the use of canes,” said Lydia Matthews, Braille outreach activity coordinator. Senior citizens can also learn to use self-threading needles, Braille reading and other programs designed to help the sight-impaired.

“The arts and crafts we offer are not meant to keep people occupied, but rather to enhance awareness and physical dexterity,” she added. Recently, Matthews said, one of the outreach classes learned how to stuff, sew and decorate pillows using a Japanese fish print technique.

Harper, who moved from teaching at fitness clubs to senior health issues two years ago, told those attending that memory impairment was not a sign of getting old. “It happens at all ages to all kinds of people,” she said.

Forgetfulness, she says, can be overcome with organization.

“Remember what Ben Franklin said?” she asked. “A place for everything and everything in its place.”

Harper said repetition, word association and verbalizing a task will help people remember things better.

“How we retrieve information has a lot to do with how we store it,” she added.

In addition to Reseda, the Braille Institute offers outreach programs in Burbank, Pasadena, Simi Valley and Thousand Oaks. Sessions are scheduled to resume Sept. 7 at all centers.