Date Presented 4/20/2018
Community participation has been linked to health and well-being and is a research priority. This study examined the outcomes of a community mobility program for older adults. Participants in the single-group, pretest–posttest, mixed methods design study demonstrated increased community participation and confidence.
Primary Author and Speaker: Claire M. Mulry
Contributing Authors: Mark Ravinsky, Christina Papetti, Julian DeMartinis
PURPOSE: The American Occupational Therapy Association’s (2016) Evidence-Based Practice Project identified research in the area of community mobility for older adults as a research priority. The purpose of this study was to respond to that call and examine the outcomes of an occupation-based program called Let’s Go, a 4-wk multimodal program designed to facilitate community participation for older adults.
METHOD:In this mixed methods, single-group pretest–posttest study, the Impact on Participation and Autonomy Questionnaire, participant surveys, and semistructured interviews were used to evaluate self-reported participation in community-based occupations, confidence, isolation, frequency of community trips, autonomy, and satisfaction with social life and relationships.
RESULTS: Fifty-two community-dwelling older adults from seven urban subsidized senior residences attended the 4-wk Let’s Go program. Participation, confidence, frequency of trips, autonomy outdoors, and satisfaction with social life and relationships demonstrated significant change at program end and at 6-mo follow-up. Decreased isolation, importance of support, increased knowledge of mobility options, and shift from fear to confidence were the themes that emerged.
CONCLUSION: Community mobility programming can facilitate the participation of marginalized older adults in community-based occupations. Occupational therapy practitioners can support the wellness of older adults by treating community mobility in all settings.
References
American Occupational Therapy Association. (2016). Research opportunities in the area of driving and community mobility for older adults. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 70, 7004400010. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2016.704001
Mulry, C. M., Papetti, C., De Martinis, J., & Ravinsky, M. (2017). Facilitating wellness in urban-dwelling, low-income older adults through community mobility: A mixed-methods study. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 71, 7104190030. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2017.025494
Stav, W. B. (2014). Updated systematic review on older adult community mobility and driver licensing policies. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 68, 681–689. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2014.011510
Stav, W. B., Hallenen, T., Lane, J., & Arbesman, M. (2012). Systematic review of occupational engagement and health outcomes among community-dwelling older adults. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 66, 301–310. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2012.003707
