According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare's 2022-year statistics on the number of persons with disabilities, about 55,000 persons with visual impairment in Taiwan, 87% of them are blind and visually impaired in the middle of their lives, representing nearly 50,000 families who are suffering from the drastic changes in their lives brought by visual impairment. To help family caregivers of visually impaired relieve the pressure of caregiving, Eden Foundation's Visually Impaired Service Center has undertaken the "Seeing with You: Support Services for Caregivers of Visually Impaired Families" project of the Social Bureau of Taipei City Government for the second year, and through growth support courses and peer encouragement, we accompany the caregivers to face the pressure and needs of caregiving together. Today on 10th of June, 12 visually impaired and their family caregivers, 2 volunteers and social workers went to Dadaocheng to dress up in vintage costumes and enjoy a cup of tea, and to experience the beauty of Taipei, so that caregivers who are usually busy taking care of their families can see their young and beautiful selves again through a light trip, and at the same time, relax and make their care full of beautiful memories by accompanying the family on a trip with volunteers.
Eden’s Visually Impaired Service Center brought persons with visual impairment and their family caregivers to Dadaocheng to relax and make memories of their journey.
Hsueh Chun, a 58-year-old family caregiver of visually impaired, was dressed in vintage clothing and posed for a photo with her father and mother. 12 years ago, her mother suffered from cataracts and glaucoma, and her vision gradually deteriorated after surgery, leaving only her left eye able to recognize light. Then she started the journey of long-term care for her mother. She was recommended by a friend and came to the Eden's Visually Impaired Service Centerin March this year to receive support services for family caregivers of visual impairment. In the past, Hsueh Chun had to go back and forth between work, family and taking care of her mother, but considering her age, she was worried that she might not be able to take care of her mother properly in the dilemma of burning many candles. In response, Eden provided a family caregiver support service for the visually impaired. Not only did she learn the skills to help her mother with position for mobility, but she also received temporary respite services to share the burden of caregiving, and through the support of the peer group, she was able to face her future caregiving journey with peace of mind.
Hsueh Chun, a family caregiver of visually impaired in retro costume, poses happily with her father and mother, thanking Eden's service for helping her to face the road of future caregiving.
Hsueh Chunshared during the event that initially, due to the different concepts of caregiving with her father, there were often arguments when using the temporary care services, such as when her father thought that he could take care of the mother by himself and did not need professional help. By inviting her father to join the caregiver course, they learned caregiving skills, understood the importance of respite for caregivers, and built a consensus on caregiving. Hsueh Chunis now able to work with her father to share the workload and work together in caring for her mother.Hsueh Chunbelieves that family caregivers of visually impaired need the support from their families, the companionship of their peers, and the assistance of professional caring skills in their long-term care journey. She encouraged family caregivers to participate in supportive activities to build self-confidence and affirm self-worth through social participation, and to learn relaxation and stress relief techniques under the guidance of professionals.
Eden volunteers accompany persons with visual impairment and their caregivers to experience the traditional culture of Dadaocheng through touch and sound.
Ms. Mei-Chih Liao, Director General, Eden's Division of services for the blind and visually impaired, said that only when one takes care of oneself can one give "love" to one's family. Since last year, Eden started the first " Family Caregiver of Visually Impaired Service Program" for visually impaired family caregivers in Taiwan, which focuses on supporting the whole family dynamics by providing in-home professional support services, one-on-one psychological counseling, art therapy, stress relief activities, growth groups, leisure courses, and Eye hotline services to provide respite and improve the quality of family care for family caregivers. If you have a family with visual impairment at home and have any caregiving service or caregiver support needs, please contact Eden’s Visually impaired Services Center at (02)2578-0285, ext. 36, social worker Huang.
Eden’s Visually Impaired Service Center has arranged special tours for the visually impaired families to experience the old days of the street.
