Cost of living for people with sight loss increases significantly with severity and age

The cost of everyday living for a pensioner with sight loss is considerably higher than for a pensioner without a visual impairment, according to a new report.

The Sight Loss and Minimum Income Standards report, which was commissioned by Thomas Pocklington Trust, reveals the cost of living is 73% higher for a severely sight impaired person of pension age

The report was conducted by Katherine Hill, Nicola Horsley, Donald Hirsch and Matt Padley at the Centre for Research in Social Policy, Loughborough University.

It is based on detailed group discussions among people with sight loss, including Macular Society members. The discussions aimed to identify the additional budget needed, excluding housing costs, in order for a severely sight impaired pensioner living alone to reach a minimum acceptable standard of living.

The Minimum Income Standards (MIS) approach focuses on meeting basic material needs and also on allowing people the opportunity to participate in society.

Read the full report here.