Browsing by Subject "aging in place"

Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
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    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, Kelsey
    Area 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.
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    Central Indiana Senior Fund State of Aging in Central Indiana Report (SoAR) Newsletter No. 1
    (The Polis Center, Indiana University at Indianapolis, 2022-11) The Polis Center
    Older adults are the fastest growing demographic in Central Indiana. Approximately 20,000 individuals in Central Indiana reach the age of 60 every year. By the year 2030, one in every five residents will be over the age of 65. To enhance the ability of older adults to live and thrive in Central Indiana, it is important to understand the population trends and basic needs of the growing older adult demographic. The Central Indiana Senior Fund is partnering with The Polis Center at IUPUI to develop the State of Aging in Central Indiana Report, a trusted source of information about Central Indiana’s older adult population.
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    Occupational Therapy Interventions to Support Aging in Place: A Rapid Systematic Review
    (2020-05) Brown, Tori; Kidwell, Hannah; Priest, Paige; Sellers, Abbey; Serino, Anna; Spencer, Brooke; Chase, Anthony; Petrenchik, Terry; Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Human Sciences
    This rapid systematic review discusses the evidence of 30 studies for the effectiveness of occupational therapy (OT) in supporting aging in place, or safely living in one’s home independently. Many older adults suffer from at least one disability, which can be a threat to both independence and safety. Further, falls and injuries raise healthcare costs, which can include nursing facility housing. The transition from living in one’s home to living in a long-term care facility dramatically impacts occupational participation and performance. Supporting aging in place increases safety, quality of life, and independence in one’s home environment. In order to support aging in place, we looked at the effectiveness of multiple occupational therapy interventions that targeted occupational performance and participation, quality of life, falls and hospital readmissions, and community mobility. Overall, we found strong evidence to support the effectiveness of these client centered occupational therapy interventions for improving aging in place in community dwelling older adults and preventing negative health outcomes.
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    Promoting ADL independence in vulnerable, community-dwelling older adults: a pilot RCT comparing 3-Step Workout for Life versus resistance exercise
    (Dove, 2017) Liu, Chiung-Ju; Xu, Huiping; Keith, NiCole R.; Clark, Daniel O.; Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
    BACKGROUND: Resistance exercise is effective to increase muscle strength for older adults; however, its effect on the outcome of activities of daily living is often limited. The purpose of this study was to examine whether 3-Step Workout for Life (which combines resistance exercise, functional exercise, and activities of daily living exercise) would be more beneficial than resistance exercise alone. METHODS: A single-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted. Fifty-two inactive, community-dwelling older adults (mean age =73 years) with muscle weakness and difficulty in activities of daily living were randomized to receive 3-Step Workout for Life or resistance exercise only. Participants in the 3-Step Workout for Life Group performed functional movements and selected activities of daily living at home in addition to resistance exercise. Participants in the Resistance Exercise Only Group performed resistance exercise only. Both groups were comparable in exercise intensity (moderate), duration (50-60 minutes each time for 10 weeks), and frequency (three times a week). Assessment of Motor and Process Skills, a standard performance test on activities of daily living, was administered at baseline, postintervention, and 6 months after intervention completion. RESULTS: At postintervention, the 3-Step Workout for Life Group showed improvement on the outcome measure (mean change from baseline =0.29, P=0.02), but the improvement was not greater than the Resistance Exercise Only Group (group mean difference =0.24, P=0.13). However, the Resistance Exercise Only Group showed a significant decline (mean change from baseline =-0.25, P=0.01) 6 months after the intervention completion. Meanwhile, the superior effect of 3-Step Workout for Life was observed (group mean difference =0.37, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Compared to resistance exercise alone, 3-Step Workout for Life improves the performance of activities of daily living and attenuates the disablement process in older adults.
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    Technology Use of Older Adults to Promote Aging in Place at Franciscan PACE Center
    (2021-04-27) Gregory, Lauren; Zeigler, Jayson; Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Human Sciences; Barnes, Carol
    Technology use among older adults has been shown to be beneficial for their overall health, independence, socialization, and quality of life. Technology promotes aging in place for these individuals, especially during the coronavirus pandemic where social isolation is more prevalent. The capstone project with the Franciscan PACE center focuses on providing evidence-based resources for participants to increase occupational performance through the use of technology. Healthcare providers at PACE were provided with the same resources to better educate them on the technologies available and their features that promote aging in place for older adult participants. The technology resources, including an excel sheet and educational videos, were reported by staff and participants to be beneficial and likely to be referenced in the future. Through education, older adults and numerous healthcare workers were made aware of how useful technologies can be to improve functionality and everyday life performance.