CBS Defined

A vision-impaired
person of sound mind experiences
phantom images (visions) in
their visual field.

 
National helpline
1300 121 123

"No-one told me I may end up seeing things that aren't really there."

"How can that butterfly be so vivid when I can't even see my daughter's face?"

"I'm legally blind so why am I seeing animals in stunning detail?"

"I didn’t know what was happening to me. Was this the start of dementia?"

"This weird figure appears almost daily but I know it is not real."

Listen to an ABC radio feature on CBS under 'Support', then 'Podcasts'

Listen to an ABC radio feature on CBS under 'Support', then 'Podcasts'

"The squares start at the floorboards and rise like blue lanterns."

Our Services

The Charles Bonnet Syndrome Foundation (CBSF) offers the following services:

 

National Helpline (1300 121 123)

The Charles Bonnet Syndrome Foundation offers a national telephone support helpline to anyone affected by the condition including family members or friends. From anywhere in Australia, the telephone support helpline is available Monday to Friday (10am - 5pm) Eastern standard time.

Home visits

The Foundation can come out and meet the person living with CBS in their home environment. Any other significant people in this person's life are more than welcome to be in attendance. An initial home visit is free of charge. This service is currently restricted to Melbourne and regional Victoria. 

Tele-web services

Where geographical distance poses a problem, online meetings are possible via Skype or Zoom. This service can extend beyond Australia. 

Online community 

The Foundation's Facebook online community is available to anyone worldwide and is free of charge. It offers an opportunity for those affected by the syndrome to share their experiences in a safe and supportive space. Click here to apply to join. 

Tele-conference support group

An Australian wide service for isolated or house-bound persons.  

Advocacy

The Foundation is able to advocate on behalf of a person living with CBS in relation to their dealings with a host of other organisations and service providers. This can be crucial in a climate when there is a lack of knowledge of the syndrome or where misunderstandings arise. 

Information brochures

A general overview of the syndrome can be downloaded from this website. A large print version and languages other than English are also available. An audio format is planned for the near future.

Presentations / Training

Feel free to contact us if your educational facility, health care service or community group would like a CBS presentation or training (metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria).

In-house training to staff - especially within the health care and aged sectors - can enhance workers' knowledge and skills set but more importantly offers improved service provision to the (at risk) clientele they serve.  

NB: Presentations outside Victoria will be considered if flight (and accommodation) charges are covered.

Case Management

We can offer to be the central worker who oversees many aspects affecting the person living with CBS. This can provide continuity of service. The case manager aims to offer an holistic care plan: the person living with CBS is seen as a unique individual with specific needs and aspirations. Case management extends beyond CBS to also address the (ongoing) impact of one's vision loss and quality of life issues. This could include any of the following issues:

  • reading
  • mobility
  • practical aids to better living
  • counselling/self-confidence/identity
  • advocacy
  • carer needs
  • government entitlements
  • linkage to relevant options (eg. social, government and community services) that could improve the quality of one's life.

 

As we are a fledgling organisation with limited resources, CBSF is required to charge for this service ($40 p/hr). However, this rate is more than 50% lower than comparable private case management services.  Feel free to call us on 1300 121 123 to learn more.