Naples, FL
Lighthouse of Collier is excited about the future of its Older Blind Program after receiving a generous $20,000 grant from the Moorings Park Foundation. The grant will specifically cover Safe Cooking Techniques and Orientation & Mobility Training for Seniors with Vision Loss.
Cooking is an essential part of living independently. Lighthouse of Collier’s Safe Cooking Techniques Class gives senior clients 65+ the tools and knowledge they need to successfully prepare meals on their own again. Our Teachers of the Visually Impaired show clients how to use voice-activated technology that eliminates many barriers for people with vision loss. For example, clients can use voice commands instead of relying on inaccessible touch control.
The class introduces clients to low-vision cutting boards, adaptive silverware, and cut-resistant gloves that make meal preparation safer and easier. These adaptive tools help our clients feel more comfortable and confident in the kitchen by reducing concerns about handling sharp utensils or hot cookware.
The generous funding will also support our Out & About Program that is centered around orientation and mobility training. Our Program Director Kerry Birchall noticed a need for this program after listening to client feedback. Birchall developed a series of engaging events that will give our seniors who are blind and visually impaired the opportunity to explore social activities in and around Naples. Some of these activities include reserving a private dining room at a local restaurant where clients can practice adaptive dining techniques in a supportive environment and renting a movie theater to enjoy an audio-described movie together. These experiences allow clients to build confidence using their adaptive skills in real-world settings without feeling self-conscious or judged.
Birchall is elated about the grant. “I want to thank the Moorings Park Foundation for its support in our mission,” she says. “I know this grant will continue to change our clients’ lives for years to come. Seeing our seniors smile for the first time in a while after making a meal on their own is priceless. We know our Out & About Program will also give our seniors the opportunity to try new things. It’s amazing to see what’s possible when people are given the opportunity to shine.”
Lighthouse of Collier sincerely thanks the Moorings Park Foundation for its generous support. Everyone at our organization is deeply grateful for our valued partnership as we work together to empower older adults with vision loss to live safely, confidently, and independently.
Moorings Park Communities is a nationally accredited, Medicare-certified, non-profit retirement living provider and one of the only Life Plan Communities in the country with A or A+ ratings by Fitch Ratings and S&P Global Ratings. The Moorings Park Foundation focuses on three avenues of service: partner (employee), resident, and community support. From educational and community grants to scholarship awards and life-changing resident programs, Moorings Park Communities continues to achieve excellence through the generosity of individuals who choose to help advance the mission of philanthropy and charitable giving. For more information, please visit the Moorings Park Foundation website.
