Veterans with hearing or sight loss – or both – are being urged to attend a special event at PoppyScotland’s Welfare Centre in Inverness next week.
The Strothers Lane base will open its doors to the local Armed Forces community on Wednesday to highlight the support available to those living with sensory impairment.
Manager Nina Semple said: “Our studies have shown that around one in six ex-Service personnel suffer from some kind of sensory loss, which is why this open day is so important. Serious instances of hearing and sight loss impact significantly on an individual’s life, both physically and psychologically.
“Sensory impairment can have a hugely detrimental effect on every aspect of life. That veterans under the age of 75 are approximately three-and-a-half-times more likely than the general population to suffer some sort of hearing impairment is a statistic that indicates a serious problem amongst the Armed Forces population.
“Sight loss, whatever the cause, has a significant impact on an individual’s independence and can be very isolating. Given the risk of sight loss increases significantly with age, thousands of older veterans in Scotland are affected. It is important veterans are aware of the support which is available to them at Scottish War Blinded, no matter how sight loss occurred.”
For more information on Poppyscotland’s Sensory Impairment Open Day, please contact 01463 710300 or email Inverness@poppyscotland.org.uk