Occupational Engagement In Older Adults

Unit 8: Occupational Engagement of the Older Adult

Older adults are the fastest growing population today (Cronin & Mandich, 2016). It is important to investigate older adult’s engagement in occupations as they continue to serve as active and valuable members of society. Observing occupational engagement among older adults leads to insights about the occupations that serve important for an enriched quality of life (Nilsson, 2006). According to the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework (OTPF), health management serves functionally in older adulthood by creating, managing, and maintaining routines for health and wellness promotion (AOTA, 2014, p. S19). As a result of chronic health conditions, natural effects of aging on one’s body, and outcomes

Body functions, that serve as client factors affecting the individual’s performance in occupations, become noticeable among older adults (Cronin & Mandich, 2016). Engagement in health management can be affected in older adults who begin to lose specific mental functions, such as memory and attention, sensory functions, such as hearing, taste and vision, and movement functions (Cronin & Mandich, 2016). As it pertains to older adults, memory and attention are needed to establish a proper medication time-table routine, hearing, vision and taste are necessary for grocery shopping and obtaining proper nutrients through food, and movement functions are important for establishing an adequate exercise regimen to promote wellness. Interpreting these client factors that arise with old age, occupational therapists promote interventions, such as health education programs, self-management programs and programs targeting specific skills, to ease the burden and enhance self-efficacy (Arbesman & Mosley, 2012). In addition to client factors affecting engagement in health management, it is important to consider the performance skills and performance patterns in older

Maintaining positive engagement in health management is important to the overall function of the older adult (Arbesman & Mosley, 2012). As natural aging takes its toll on an older adult, utilizing occupational therapy can help mitigate the effects on an individual’s quality of life. As Cronin and Mandich (2016) state, “adults over 80 is the fastest-growing segment of the American population” (p. 407). Therefore, it is imperative to implement effective programs to address this population and support the occupational engagement of older