By Stacy Smallfield, DrOT, OTR/L, BCG, FAOTA; Sharon Elliott, DHS, GCG, OTR/L, BCG, FAOTA; and Natalie E. Leland, PhD, OTR/L, BCG, FAOTA
In the United States, the population of older adults continues to increase, and by 2030, an estimated 20% of the U.S. population will be aged 65 or older. Additionally, the population aged 85 or older is projected to more than double, to about 14.6 million, by 2040 (Administration for Community Living, 2018). The Baby Boomer generation and the current generation of older adults are living longer than previous generations; in addition to increased longevity, many older adults have chronic conditions affecting their ability to age productively. Most adults aged 65 and over live in the community; only about 3% reside in institutional settings.
This Practice Guideline provides an overview of the occupational therapy process for community-dwelling older adults. It is based on systematic reviews of the evidence for interventions addressing ADLs; IADLs; social and leisure participation; sleep; fall prevention; and health promotion, management, and maintenance. It uses key concepts from the 3rd edition of the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework: Domain and Process and is essential for clinical decision making in occupational therapy practice with community-dwelling older adults.
978-1-56900-593-4, 176 pages, 2019