Pondworks Psychiatry & Psychotherapyprovides office-based mental health care to the greater Austin community. Pondworks’ practitioners are committed to an evidence-based approach, integrating psychotherapy and medication treatments, to achieve optimal outcomes–so our patients can do and be more. We are committed to improving the delivery of outpatient mental health care through our own work excellence, relationships with local teaching institutions, and patient advocacy. Pondworks’ culture is based in the same high-quality care Dr. Bernard Kim has engaged in with his Austin patients since he first opened his doors in 2004. In addition to prescribing the many effective pharmacological tools available, Dr. Kim practices and advocates for the deeper and longer-term results made possible by combining medications with psychotherapy, either in his own office or with a local therapist. In 2013, Dr. Kim’s practice re-incorporated as Pondworks, forming a team with psychiatric nurse practitioners who share the same balanced, integrated approach. Our patients are diverse in ages and backgrounds. Some are quite experienced with psychiatric care, having transferred to our office from other providers’; others are brand new folks, who might be going through a particularly stressful experience or just seeking out professional help for the first time. They are family and community members, students and employees, colleagues and friends who share a wish to grow, through a process of inquiry about their minds, stories, feelings, behaviors, beliefs, and relationships. We focus on a respect for each patient’s specific need in a certain moment of his or her life. As our patient, you can expect to partner with a provider who will a) form an explanation of your current problem and b) create a plan to help.  We consider both the symptoms happening right now, and also what may help you to grow beyond them in the future. We realize there are many different and valuable approaches to mental health care that you may want to explore. You can always expect an attitude of respect and positive effort in trying to integrate different approaches. ...read more

Low visiondescribes a set of conditions in which there is significant visual impairment which can not be corrected with traditional means such as glasses, contact lenses, medication or eye surgery.   Low vision includes a loss of visual acuity which can’t be corrected to better than 20/70, significant visual field loss such as tunnel vision or blind spots, legal blindness (20/200 or less visual acuity in the better eye) and almost total blindness. While it  can affect both children and adults, low vision is most common in the elderly. Since vision is significantly impaired and can’t be corrected the condition requires significant adjustments to daily life. Here are some facts about the condition and tips for coping with it on a daily basis. What causes low vision?  Eye diseases such as: glaucoma, macular degeneration, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, and retinitis pigmentosa Eye injury Heredity How does low vision affect daily life? While people with low vision are not considered to be totally blind, often the poor quality of their vision makes it incredibly challenging to complete common daily tasks including reading, writing, cooking and housework, watching television, driving or even recognizing people. The adjustment can be especially for those who suddenly lose their vision. The good news is there are numerous resources and products available to assist individuals with low vision often by enhancing the small amount of vision that is intact. Visual Aids Visual aids enable millions of people who suffer from low vision to be able to function and live relatively normal lives, by maximizing their remaining eyesight. An optometrist can do a low vision eye exam and provide specialized glasses or tints to optimize vision, or recommend quality magnifiers with appropriate magnification and working distance.  Full spectrum lighting or magnifiers with an attached light source are often used to aid individuals with low vision. You can also get special lens tints, which are used to enhance contrast and reduce glare, with special coatings for specific conditions.  Other low vision aids act as guides to help the person focus on non-visual cues, such as sound or feel. Many people unfortunately try a “trial and error” or "dollar store" readers or magnifiers when it comes to vision aids which can lead to frustration. In fact, there is a systematic approach to finding the right visual aid, which is a matter of consulting with a professional to determine what works for each individual and his daily needs. Speak to your optometrist about the best place to obtain quality, optical and non-optical aids to assist with your low vision. f you or a loved one suffers from low vision, here are some ways to make life with low vision easier Adjust Lighting. Ensure that your home is well lit. This may require some trial and error with different lights and voltages to determine what works best for you. Use a magnifier. There is a vast selection of magnifiers available, ranging from hand-held to stand magnifiers. Binoculars and spectacle mounted magnifiers are also an option. Your optometrist or low vision specialist can recommend specialized lens tints for certain conditions such as retinitis pigmentosa or cataracts, which enhance vision or reduce light sensitivity. Use large print books for reading. Alternatively, try digital recordings or mp3s. Make use of high contrast for writing. Try writing in large letters with a broad black pen on a white piece of paper or board. Add a high-contrast stripe on steps (bright color on dark staircase, or black stripe on light stairs) can prevent falls in people with low vision, and may enable those who suffer to remain independent in their home. Find out what other technology is available to help make your life simpler. If you or a loved one has low vision, don’t despair. Be sure to consult with youreye doctorabout the best course of action to take to simplify life with low vision. ...read more

Call Hospitality Home Healthcare Agency LLC at (844) 517-0363 in Austin, TX, for experienced home care services and ensure your loved ones are in good hands. Hospitality Home Healthcare Agency LLC Austin, TX 78758 Phone: 512-993-1158 Contact Email: info@hospitalityhomehealthcare.com Keywords: home care, austin, tx ...read more