Rnib Talking Book

Once an avid reader, crossword puzzle solver, active member of the community, car driver, home owner, this former independent person has lost a lot of confidence and is devestated by her increasing loss of sight in recent months. RNIB are soon to provide a package of practical resources - talking books, large button telephone etc. but she feels helpless to do things for herself and has suffered from depression as a result. I am looking for stimulating ideas that she could cope with and enjoy at the times when she is left to her own devices in her own home. She listens to music, plays patience and relies on others to help her with preparing food, shopping, laundry and housework. We have been enlarging crosswords and typing out clues in font size 48, but it takes longer to do this than she can solve them! There must be meaningful, challenging and achievable ways of her passing some of her spare time, at a when she feels that her world has fallen apart. Please help.

My aunt - who died recently at 90 - was in exactly the same circumstances. She continued to play Scrabble - using a set with very large letters - with a few friends who used to call round every so often.

She will be eligible for a lot of help from the council. She's paid her taxes and she needs what she's entitled to. Home help, reduction in Council Tax, also free TV licence if she's registered blind (which she should be). She can have an emergency attachment to her phone and a button thing to go round her neck - any problems and she presses the button and help is sent asap.

It might well be worth contacting the local church - they might send someone round to sit and chat with her every so often. Don't worry if she's not a churchgoer - they'll likely do it anyway. If the Anglicans won't do it, talk to the Catholics - and vice versa.

The local council can tell you all about provision and so can Age Concern. Here's a list:

Information and advice
All Age Concerns offer a signposting service and most offer detailed information and advice on issues such as finance, benefits, housing and residential care.

Activities outside the home
Activities such as day care, lunch clubs, outings, learning and leisure opportunities, including computer training are available at many local offices.

Emotional and social support at home
A large number of Age Concerns provide befriending and visiting services, particularly to the housebound. Many also offer advocacy and counselling services.

Personal care
Many Age Concerns provide personal care at home, particularly for those who wish to remain in their own homes. This may range from help with bathing and dressing, to foot care, hairdressing, and the provision of mobility aids.

To find out exactly what is available in your area, contact your local Age Concern.

Visit www.ageconcern.org.uk/local and search by postcode, town or county
Call the our Information Line (freephone) on 0800 00 99 66
If they can't help you directly, they will normally suggest someone who can.

There's lots of help out there - you just have to find out where it is and then ASK!

I wish your friend the very best. There are plenty of people out there who'll befriend her.

2007-03-13 12:02:32 by galluslass

Losing the ability to read leaves a huge void in people's lives. RNIB's Talking Book service helps to fill it. Listening to a talking book ...

Hi,

Do you think that disabled people should have rights?

May I bring your attention to two petitions on the subject I have on the Downing Street website. They are.

Access to work http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/jobs-disabili ty/

Talking Books http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Talking-Books /

Would you be kind enough to have a look and consider signing them. If you decide to sign, could you ask your friends and collegues to have a look.

Does anyone have some good information I could add to this to help me promote them?

Here is some info I have already found.

The RNIB estimate that only 5% of books published in the UK each year are made into accessible versions. Please help improve this awful state of affairs!
These petitions are open for a year, so there is plenty of time to sign

I indeed agree that disabled ought to have rights in line with the rest of us.

--That Cheeky Lad

2007-03-03 04:00:50 by footynutguy