The purpose of this research was to describe the strategies that older adults with low vision use to support daily living. A descriptive qualitative study of 10 older adults with low vision was conducted using semistructured, audio-recorded interviews. The data was coded and grouped into categories, and the findings were summarized. Four major themes were identified: (a) device nonuse; (b) sensory strategies and devices; (c) environmental strategies; and (d) resourcefulness. Older adults with low vision try many devices and strategies to find the ones that allow them to participate in meaningful activity within their physical and social environment. These findings support the use of a client-centered, multicomponent, problem-solving approach to low vision rehabilitation to maximize performance of daily activity despite declining vision.
Keywords: Assistive technology; environment; low vision; older adults; problem solving.