TV star Alison Hammond is backing a campaign aimed at enabling more vulnerable people in South Devon to access essential sight and hearing care.
This comes as new Specsavers research shows that nearly one in two 44% people who can’t leave their homes without support are missing out on essential sight and hearing care.
The findings also reveal that 29% of carers across the region say that the person they care for has had their eyesight negatively impacted because they cannot get to a store, and for the same reason 21% have never had their hearing loss treated.
At-home services provide personal, expert and convenient eye tests and hearing checks to those who are eligible. However, only 19% of local carers are aware that both are available, while 32% are unaware that the person they care for is eligible.
To help more people access these vital at-home health checks, Alison Hammond is raising awareness about the issue by joining the Specsavers Home Visits team as its newest recruit, lifting the curtain on this essential service for people who are unable to leave their home unaccompanied and without support.
During her time shadowing Specsavers Home Visits optometrist Julie Benson on her rounds, Alison Hammond said: “I had no idea how much goes into a Specsavers Home Visit until I joined the team myself.
“We met so many amazing people who simply can’t get out, and being able to visit them in their homes makes such a difference. As well as assisting with the eye test and helping customers choose their glasses, I got to have a proper chat with them and hear all about their lives.
“Seeing the difference these services make genuinely touched me and made me realise this is so much more than a job.”
More than half (52%) of vulnerable people interviewed in the region say they feel that the individual they care for is unable to enjoy everyday things such as watching TV, reading the newspaper or participating in shared activities due to untreated sight issues.
Vision difficulties have also made 23% more prone to accidents or injuring themselves, while 38% say that the person they care for has lost confidence due to poor vision.
Loneliness is also a key factor among people who have eyesight and hearing difficulties, with many saying that the person they care for has experienced feelings of loneliness or isolation due to poor eyesight (21%) or poor hearing (50%).
Julie Benson, Specsavers Home Visits optometrist, added: “We visit hundreds of people each week who simply can’t get to a store due to physical or mental health disabilities. We get to know them and what matters day to day.
“While we’re there to help with their eyesight, the impact goes far beyond that – poor vision can knock confidence or increase loneliness, especially in people who live alone. Delivering
the high-quality clinical care you’d expect from Specsavers, tailored to their individual needs, genuinely transforms their everyday quality of life.
“Our research also shows that many people who cannot leave their home without support have a reduced ability to take part in hobbies or social activities due to difficulties with their vision or their hearing.
“The impact of this is significant, with 31% of those with vision difficulties saying they feel like a burden on their loved ones or carers and 38% saying they have increased reliance on others for daily tasks.”
The Home Visits service provides eligible individuals with a comprehensive, NHS-funded eye test in the comfort of their own home. Additionally, Specsavers now offers free home hearing checks in selected locations.
Helen Walker, Chief Executive at Carers UK, said: “Access to home-based healthcare services, like home eye tests and hearing checks, are essential for people who can’t leave their homes independently. It also makes a tremendous difference to unpaid carers, the family members and friends who support them, because they often spend a substantial amount of time coordinating their care needs.
“When someone can see or hear more clearly, their confidence grows and their quality of life improves in ways that really matter. And for unpaid carers, knowing their loved one is in safe hands and receiving the care they need brings enormous peace of mind. We recognise how vital services like Specsavers Home Visits are in helping families feel supported, reassured and less alone.”
For more information about the new campaign and to watch the exclusive mini-series, visit specsavers.co.uk/alison-joins-specsavers
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