Date of Award

8-2019

Document Type

Capstone

Degree Name

Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)

Department

Occupational Therapy

First Advisor

Susan MacDermott, OTD, OTR/L

Second Advisor

Erin Schwier, EdD, OTD, OTR/L

Medical Subject Headings

Occupational Therapy, Aging in Place, Allied Health

Abstract

Productive aging is a topic of great significance due to the increasing older adult population. Interfaith provides services to older adults in low-income housing to help support their abilities to remain more independent as they age. The purpose of the capstone was to gain understanding of marginalized older adults instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) performance issues. The preliminary objectives were to (1) establish an understanding of the needs of the older adults; (2) perform in-depth interviews for the needs assessment; (3) assess current resources available in North County San Diego; and (4) develop a program incorporating recommendations to increase occupational performance.

Methods: Convenient sampling of 33 participants that includes interviews and observations of Interfaith seniors and staff. Interview of older adults was adapted from the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) and the Occupational Performance History Interview-II (OPHI-II). Data was used for thematic identification to determine areas of decreased occupational performance to develop a program to be incorporated into Interfaith's senior services.

Results: Areas of decreased occupational performance identified included: (1) community mobility, (2) home establishment and management, (3) leisure participation, and (4) social participation. Findings support previous literature of areas of decreased performance. Based on results, it is also important to include home establishment and management an area to increase occupational performance. The program was provided in the form of staff training and the development of a resource binder for Interfaith case management to use as training and as resources for seniors.

Comments

Capstone project submitted to the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Occupational Therapy

Available for download on Wednesday, January 01, 2025

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