Home visits team to shine a light on the thousands missing out

The recruit – Alison Hammond joins Specsavers home visits team to shine a light on the thousands missing out on important eye and hearing care

To help more people access vital at-home eye tests and hearing checks, TV star Alison Hammond has joined the Specsavers Home Visits team as its newest Recruit, lifting the curtain on essential services for people who are unable to leave their home unaccompanied or without support. The Recruit campaign is now live across social media channels, is available as a mini-series on YouTube and the Recruit TV advert premieres on Christmas Day on Channel 4 during the Great British Bake Off Christmas Special.

Nearly half (44%) of people in the UK, who can’t leave their homes without support, are missing out on essential sight and hearing care, according to new research from Specsavers Home Visits.

As a result, more than a fifth (22%) of carers say that the person they care for has had their eyesight negatively impacted and more than one in 10 (14%) has untreated hearing loss, because they cannot get to a store.

Whilst at-home services provide personal, expert and convenient eye tests and hearing checks to those who are eligible, fewer than half (49%) of carers are aware that both are available and more than a quarter (27%) are unaware that the person they care for is eligible. Unsurprisingly therefore, only 1 in 10 (10%) say the individual they care for has ever had both an eye test and hearing check at home.

During her time shadowing Specsavers Home Visits Optometrist Julie Benson on her rounds, Alison Hammond said: ‘I had no idea how much goes into a Specsavers Home Visit until I joined the team myself. We met so many amazing people who simply can’t get out and being able to visit them in their homes makes such a difference. As well as assisting with the eye test and helping customers choose their glasses, I got to have a proper chat with them and hear all about their lives. Seeing the difference these services make genuinely touched me and made me realise this is so much more than a job.’

The benefits of having good vision are very apparent with 62% saying the person they care for has a better quality of life and 51% of those with good hearing are able to enjoy the things they love, including listening to music or watching a film. And, the impact of untreated sight and hearing issues for vulnerable people is profound. Nearly half (47%) say they feel that the individual they care for is unable to enjoy everyday things such as watching TV, reading the newspaper or participating in shared activities due to untreated sight issues.

Vision difficulties have also made nearly a third (30%) more prone to accidents or injuring themselves and more than a third (35%) say that the person they care for has lost confidence due to poor vision.

Loneliness is also a key factor among people with eyesight and hearing difficulties, with more than a quarter (27%) saying that the person they care for has experienced feelings of loneliness or isolation due to poor eyesight and 26% due to poor hearing.

The Home Visits service provides eligible individuals with a comprehensive, NHS-funded eye test in the comfort of their own home. Additionally, Specsavers now offers free home hearing checks in selected locations in the UK.

Julie Benson, Specsavers Home Visits optometrist, adds: ‘We visit hundreds of people each week who simply can’t get to a store due to physical or mental health disabilities. We get to know them and what matters day-to-day. Whilst we’re there to help with their eyesight, the impact goes far beyond that – poor vision can knock confidence or increase loneliness, especially in people who live alone. Delivering the high-quality clinical care you’d expect from Specsavers, tailored to their individual needs, genuinely transforms their everyday quality of life.

‘Our research also shows that many people, who cannot leave their home without support, have a reduced ability to take part in hobbies or social activities due to difficulties with their vision or their hearing. The impact of this is significant with a just under a third (31%) of those with vision difficulties saying they feel like a burden on their loved ones or carers and more than a third (37%) saying they have increased reliance on others for daily tasks.”

David from Southampton, whose mobility has been affected after a fall, and his wife Celia, had a special visit from Alison Hammond. Talking about his experience of Home Visits, David says: “It was such a treat to meet Alison! I’ve seen her on television, so it made the day feel really special. The Home Visits team has been incredibly kind since my fall – their expertise and care really puts you at ease. I no longer have to worry about getting to Specsavers… they come to me.’

Helen Walker, Chief Executive, Carers UK, comments: ‘Access to home-based healthcare services, like eye tests and hearing checks, is essential for people who can’t leave their homes independently. It also makes a tremendous difference to unpaid carers, the family members and friends who support them, because they often spend a substantial amount of time coordinating their care needs. When someone can see or hear more clearly, their confidence grows and their quality of life improves in ways that really matter. And for unpaid carers, knowing their loved one is in safe hands and receiving the care they need brings enormous peace of mind. We recognise how vital services like Specsavers Home Visits are in helping families feel supported, reassured and less alone.’