The importance of writing in low vision rehabilitation of the older adult

Writing is an aspect of everyday functioning, but it is often ignored as a vision rehabilitation goal or as a topic of research. Writing is a communication strategy, is used to aid in memory, and has many other essential functions that are often overlooked. The ability to read back one's own handwriting is also vital to independent living. This article discusses the concept of writing efficiency, and how writing efficiency can be measured in the older adult with low vision. Intervention techniques including writing modifications and a sequence for rehabilitation of writing skills will be discussed.