The age-related macular degeneration support group meets the third Tuesday of every month at Rivers Edge Villa
Finding support from those who share similar ailments or medical conditions can prove to be among the best medicines. But, getting to that support can be the problem when vision is impaired.
“Macular degeneration has been coined ‘The Silver Tsunami’, and it is growing at alarming rates,” said Lynne Johnson, a rehab specialist who works for State Services for the Blind in Hibbing.
A local support group for age-related macular degeneration helps members share information and frustrations that go along with the disease. And that group is attempting to make transportation to monthly support meetings more easily available.
“It is often in a group like this that we can let all our guards down and talk openly and honestly about the struggles that we go through in daily tasks,” said Johnson. “It is reassuring to know that someone else is or has dealt with the same types of difficulties and they were able to overcome that obstacle.”
According to allaboutvision.com, age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss and blindness among Americans who are age 65 and older. As the International Falls community ages, senior citizens who suffer from ARMD will become more common. This disease affects eyesight and can interfere with daily activities. An ARMD support group is available to help improve the quality of life and inform those living with the disease and their families.
ARMD is degeneration of the macula, which is the part of the retina responsible for the sharp, central vision needed to read or drive. Because the macula primarily is affected in ARMD, central vision loss may occur.
About 1.75 million U.S. residents currently have advanced age-related macular degeneration with associated vision loss, with that number expected to grow to almost 3 million by 2020, according to the website.
Edith Holmstrom, a member of the local support group, has had ARMD for seven years, and while she is still able to drive, many others suffering from her condition cannot, which limits access to the support group if they don’t live at Rivers Edge Villa — where the group meets.
“I have a goal of broadening this support group, but we need more people here to do that,” she said.
Holmstrom has been diligently working with Arrowhead Transit bus company to arrange free pick-up and drop-off transportation to and from support group meetings at the Villa.
According to Holmstrom, the bus transportation will be free if five people commit to taking advantage of the service.
“Hopefully, we should have a lot more than five interested,” she said.
For Holmstrom, the group offers comfort and provides her with valuable information about the disease and treatments.
JoAnne Bokovoy, the Community Education adults with disabilities coordinator, facilitates the group and agrees that bringing people together who share similar medical problems can help.
According to Bokovoy, the support group started six or seven years ago and has grown from three or four members to 15 or more over the years.
“We’re hoping to add even more,” she said.
Johnson has been involved with he group for about two years and is often present at the group’s monthly meetings and brings information about ARMD for the group.
She said her relationship with those who attend the group is always growing. She explained that in the beginning, support group members were more hesitant about opening up, and now they share some of their most difficult struggles with her.
“She is just tops,” Holmstrom said of Johnson.
Bokovoy said the group has had a positive effect on all those who have attended. It has also been inspiring and informative as well as supportive of individuals’ efforts to continue to be and do all they can. Frustrations go hand-in-hand with this disease and the support group can offer compassion and understanding for that obstacle, she said.
“This group is a place where everyone can feel welcome,” Bokovoy said. “We encourage all those who are interested to attend.”
“People don’t have to have macular degeneration to join,” Holmstrom added. “We have opened the group to anyone with vision impairments and their families.”
Holmstrom added that those wishing to become part of such a support system shouldn’t have to miss out because they’re unable to find transportation to attend.
“We want to attract enough people to get the bus service started for our March 15 meeting,” she said.
The ARMD support group meets every third Tuesday of the month in the fireside room at Rivers Edge Villa.
Anyone who is interested in taking advantage of free shuttle rides to ARMD support group meetings — or just to attend — can contact Holmstrom at 283-2110.
