Description

Self-care has become a trendy concept with a surge in research supporting the many benefits. Mainstream healthcare providers are promoting self-care practices as a path to improve physical and mental health of their patients. People living with blindness and visual impairments have higher rates of chronic health conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and depression, all of which are negatively impacted by high stress levels and positively impacted by healthy lifestyle changes incorporating better self-care. We will explore five important domains of self-care: healthy eating, physical activity, restorative sleep, stress management, and social connection, providing tips and resources to help you get started on a self-care journey to greater wellness. Professionals will learn ways to promote a healthy lifestyle and support self-care goals of their consumers as well as ways to nurture their own mind, body, and spirit.

Video

Presenter

Audrey Demmitt, R.N., B.S.N.
Audrey Demmitt graduated from the University of Arizona and has been a nurse for over 30 years, working in a variety of settings. She worked for a vision rehabilitation agency as an Adjustment to Blindness Counselor and Diabetes Educator. Currently, Audrey writes as a Health Education Specialist on topics related to health and vision loss including adjustment to blindness, diabetes, mental health, and peer support groups for the APH website VisionAware and as a subject matter expert for the NRTC at MSU. Audrey has presented at AFB’s national leadership conferences and AER conferences. She facilitated a support group for the visually impaired in her community for eight years. She calls Peachtree City, Georgia home.