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Browsing by Author "DeRolf, Annie"
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Item Area Agency on Aging and Occupational Therapy(2021-05-07) Minnich, Victoria; DeRolf, Annie; Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Human Sciences; Ziegler, Dustin; Stinson, KelseyArea Agencies on Aging (AAAs) and the profession of occupational therapy have similar values as they pertain to the promotion of aging in place amongst community-dwelling older adults. AAAs provide a wide range of services that allow older adults to safely and productively age in their own homes rather than in institutionalized settings (National Association of Area Agencies on Aging [n4a], n.d.). Occupational therapy practitioners have an essential role in promoting quality of life, health, and participation in meaningful occupations amongst community-dwelling older adults (American Occupational Therapy Association [AOTA], 2016). Despite these similar values, there are few partnerships between the two entities as fewer than 3.2% of occupational therapists even work in community settings with older adults (AOTA, 2020b). The goal of this capstone project was to evaluate an Area Agency on Aging (AAA) and provide the organization with an evidence-based, client-centered proposal on how a staffed occupational therapy practitioner could fit within their organization. Outcomes of this capstone project consisted of five tailored recommendations for the organization as well as an increase in knowledge and perception of the scope of occupational therapy amongst the organization’s staff. Future research should be conducted on the outcomes associated with partnerships between AAAs and occupational therapy practitioners.Item Doctoral Capstone Report: Understanding Cravings and Triggers in Students Attending a Recovery High School in a COVID-19 Era(2022-05-01) Wisser, Breanna; Bednarski, Julie; DeRolf, Annie; Chase, Tony; Wilburn, Victoria; Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Human Sciences; Wilburn, VictoriaThe adolescent population continues to be one of the most vulnerable at-risk populations for developing a substance use disorder (SUD), however only 0.3% of diagnosed adolescents receive the necessary treatment to begin the journey of recovery (National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, 2020). To date, there is limited literature surrounding the real-life barriers to recovery individuals face daily. Accurately understanding recovery in the context of the daily lived experience would assist in person-centered evaluation and intervention. By utilizing a daily data collection method, ecological momentary assessment (EMA), researchers are able to identify and assess barriers to recovery in a timelier manner. The identified objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using EMA as a data collection method and how well it works to richly understand the lived experiences of adolescents in recovery and inform effective supports for this population.Item Facilitating Occupational Engagement Among Newly Resettled Refugees Through a Life Skills Curriculum(2023-05-02) Richason, Hannah; DeRolf, Annie; Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Human Sciences; Vestal, JoelRefugees resettle in the United States due to the threat of war, persecution, or other situations which require legal protection. Occupational deprivation occurs when one is unable to participate in desired occupations due to barriers to engagement. Refugees often experience occupational deprivation after resettlement due to a variety of barriers to occupational participation. Occupational engagement is essential for one’s health and well-being, and experiencing barriers to accessing occupation can therefore negatively impact one’s health and well-being. Occupational therapists facilitate participation in occupation, and thus have a role in addressing occupational deprivation among refugees. The purpose of this Doctoral Capstone Project was to partner with an Indianapolis nonprofit, Migros Aid, Inc., to create a guide for volunteer mentors to utilize for addressing life skills with refugees. Over the course of the Doctoral Capstone Experience, the capstone student created and disseminated the Life Skills Curriculum and associated materials. Volunteer mentors participated in a training presentation addressing how to access and use the Life Skills Curriculum, as well as trauma-informed approach principles and cultural humility principles in line with best practice recommendations for resettlement work. Quantitative outcome data indicated an increase in mentors’ knowledge and confidence in teaching life skills to refugees before (n=15) and after (n=9) the presentation. This project contributed to literature about occupational therapy’s role when working with resettled refugees at a population level and provided resources to facilitate increased occupational engagement among refugees in Indianapolis.Item Group Reminiscence Therapy: Improving Quality of Life and Depressive Symptoms among Older Adults in Assisted-Living(2022-04-29) Gordon, Madeline R; DeRolf, Annie; Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Human Sciences; Mize, CallieOlder adults living in residential facilities are at greater risk for decreased quality of life and increased depressive symptoms compared to their community-dwelling counterparts. Research has shown that psychotherapies, such as group reminiscence therapy, can have a positive effect on these domains. This capstone project used survey methods to analyze and assess quality of life and depression in older adults residing in an assisted-living facility before and after participation in a six-week structured group reminiscence therapy program. There were seven people who completed a pre- and post-survey to assess self-reported quality of life and depression preceding and following participation in the group program. Data was analyzed using a paired-samples t-test. There were statistically significant differences in both quality of life and depressive symptoms after participating in a biweekly group program over a period of six weeks. The capstone student developed a group reminiscence therapy binder and provided education to the therapy staff surrounding the use of group reminiscence therapy, how to plan and implement the program, and the results of the project to promote sustainability at the capstone site. The results support the importance placed upon addressing quality of life and depression in residential-living older adults, and emphasize the use of group reminiscence therapy on improving these domains.Item Implications for Occupational Therapy in Community Re-Entry(2021-04-27) Vest, Breea; DeRolf, Annie; Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Human Sciences; Edwards, RhiannonThe United States has the highest rates of incarceration in the world (Sawyer & Wagner, 2020). Long periods of incarceration lead to occupational deprivation, alienation, and decreased autonomy. A longitudinal study from 2005-2010 found that 67.8% of incarcerated individuals were re-arrested for a new crime within three years and 76.6% within 5 years (Durose et al., 2014). The purpose of this research is to further determine the role of occupational therapy within the criminal justice system and how it can promote occupational justice, improve overall well-being, and decrease the rates of recidivism. The continuous high rates of recidivism signal a call to action, to modify the programming in place to better serve those that it affects. This research took place over a 14-week period at both a work-release facility and a non-profit organization. An interest survey was sent out to participants who have utilized Public Advocates in Community Re-entry (PACE) resources. A total of 74 responses were collected and the data was analyzed to determine the levels of interest in different types of programming. Pre/Post-test surveys were also administered at Duvall Residential Center regarding the PACE career readiness course. Data was collected to identify gaps in knowledge, areas of improvement, and overall general feedback regarding the course. A total of 36 responses were collected. Occupational therapists can provide direct support as well as serve as a consultative role within this setting. OT’s can also provide client-centered and/or group-based programming to work with individuals to meet their personal and professional goals through a client-centered approach. While more research is needed to fully determine the role of OT within the criminal justice setting, survey results indicate that there is a need for OT.Item Interdisciplinary Approach to Fall Prevention at HTS(2021-05-03) Wolter, Emma; DeRolf, Annie; Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Human Sciences; Murray, CassieThe doctoral capstone student developed a fall prevention program, “Steady: A Comprehensive Therapy Approach to Fall Prevention,” for physical, occupational, and speech therapists at Healthcare Therapy Services (HTS) to utilize to reduce the prevalence and risk of falls among older adults. The student conducted a thorough needs assessment process involving research, meetings, and an anonymous survey to gather necessary information to create the program. The majority of the capstone was spent creating a 100-page manual that included assessments, interventions, and handouts along with a tracking log for managers to record falls among all residents. At the end of the semester, HTS sent an email with the finalized manual and a recorded presentation explaining how to implement the program. Additionally, the student emailed several therapists and managers to receive feedback to evaluate the project. Positive feedback was given regarding both the program components and presentation. By providing a program manual and recorded presentation, the student has offered a sustainable project for HTS therapists to utilize to reduce falls and to improve outcomes with their older adults residents.Item Occupational Therapy to Address Role Competence and Advocacy in a Mother-Child Unit in a Women's Prison(2022-05) Moring, Kelly; DeRolf, Annie; Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Human Sciences; DeRolf, AnnieThis occupational therapy doctoral capstone experience focused on program development and advocacy. This paper includes a literature review of occupational therapy within the prison system, the nature of incarceration within the United States, and the impact the prison system has on the individuals who are incarcerated. Following the completion of the literature review, a consultation with an emeritus professor whose scholarship focuses on the role of occupational therapy within the criminal justice system, as well as an interview with local prison staff was conducted. It was determined that occupational therapy programming to improve role competence among mothers who are incarcerated has the potential for positive outcomes. A provisional program was developed for women who would be enrolled in a mother-child unit at a women’s prison with an emphasis on role competence, self-efficacy, and advocacy for self and child. Due to COVID-19 protocol, implementation of the program was not completed. The developed program and corresponding manual were evaluated based on standards of health literacy, as well as with a rubric developed from human-centered design principles. Outcomes are needed to determine overall effectiveness, and it is recommended for a registered occupational therapist and/or occupational therapy capstone student to implement this program as a pilot study within a women’s prison.Item Promoting Inclusive Continuation of Therapy Services for Stroke Patients Post Discharge: A Doctoral Capstone Project(2022-05) Lee, Mallory; DeRolf, Annie; Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Human Sciences; Bavender, ClayPatients that have experienced a stroke can experience a variety of deficits that impact functional independence, therefore promotion of continuation of services is essential. Barriers to continuation of services may be encountered when discharging some patients, an occurrence not unfamiliar to those healthcare providers working at Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). FQHCs have the ability to provide health care services to the underserved population by receiving funds from the Health Resources and Services Administration (Health Resources & Services Administration, 2018). At a local Marion County FQHC, several gaps preventing continuation of services for rehab in-house patients were identified. This specific population labeled as the rehab in-house population consists of patients with multiple diagnoses, including stroke, that require additional therapy services however do not have funding to discharge from the hospital to another rehab facility. Therefore, rehab in-house patients receive rehab services at the hospital until patients are able to discharge home. The capstone site’s therapy staff identified several gaps including lack in education and resources that hinder rehab in-house patients from continuing with therapy services after discharge. This capstone project involved direct collaboration with the identified stakeholders to create successful materials to aid in the mission of helping rehab in-house patients continue therapy services after discharge. After dissemination of the new capstone project materials, there was an increase in knowledge from an inpatient therapist standpoint on essential areas in order to be an advocate and influence patients to continue therapy services after discharge.Item Reducing Hospital Readmission from Skilled Nursing Facilities to Reduce Healthcare Costs and Improve Quality of Care(2021-04-29) Ekstrom, Morgan; DeRolf, Annie; Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Human Sciences; Cochran, RebeccaPatients discharged to skilled nursing facilities after hospital stays experience high readmission rates due to insurance mandating length of stay. This study used mixed methods to determine patient characteristics that contribute to readmissions and develop recommendations to reduce readmissions. The medical records of 241 patients discharged from a skilled nursing facility (SNF) were reviewed to identify common characteristics of individuals who readmitted in 30 or 60 days. Data was analyzed using an independent samples t-test and binary logistic regression analysis. There was a significant difference in average SNF length of stay, number of comorbidities, and self-care and mobility scores of patients readmitted in 30 days and those who did not. There was a significant difference in SNF length of stay, more comorbidities, self-care and mobility scores, and number of risk factors of patients readmitted in 60 days and those who did not. Binary logistic regression showed short SNF length of stay, congestive heart failure, and more comorbidities predicted a readmission in 30 days. Similarly, diabetes, more comorbidities, and not receiving home health predicted readmissions in 60 days. Qualitative data was collected from patient interviews to gain perspectives on the quality of care at the SNF and therapist surveys to determine their understanding of readmissions and their proposed solutions for readmissions. Recommendations included improving communication between staff and patients, increasing patient education, and providing therapy discharge instruction to ensure successful discharge. The results propose possible reasons for readmissions and ways to reduce them to improve patient outcomes and decrease healthcare spending.Item Sexuality and Intimacy Education and Resources for Occupational Therapy Practice at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab(2022-04-29) Rohr, Ashley; DeRolf, Annie; Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Human Sciences; McDoniel, JessicaAddressing sexuality and intimacy in occupational therapy (OT) continues to be neglected throughout rehabilitation settings. Common barriers to practice such as lack of knowledge, lack of resources, lack of time, and therapist discomfort continue to widen the gap in holistic, client-centered practice. This doctoral capstone project and experience explored this gap, targeted the barriers, and advocated for inclusion of sexuality and intimacy education and resources at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab (SRALab) in Chicago, IL. Multiple needs assessments were conducted in order to gather information and target the specific gap in holistic OT practice. Lack of education and resources were key contributors that explained why sexuality and intimacy were not being regularly addressed in OT practice at SRALab. The doctoral capstone student’s mission was to increase clinicians’ confidence, comfort, and knowledge about topics related to exploration of patients’ sexuality and intimacy after spinal cord injury (SCI), with the ultimate goal to increase overall patient satisfaction and quality of life.