Department of Occupational Therapy Program Faculty Articles

Systematic review of occupational engagement and health outcomes among community-dwelling older adults

Publication Title

The American journal of occupational therapy. : official publication of the American Occupational Therapy Association

Publisher

Published For The American Occupational Therapy Association By Ajot Pub. Co

ISSN

0272-9490

Publication Date

5-2012

Keywords

Activities of Daily Living, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Geriatric Assessment, Health Promotion, Health Status, Humans, Occupational Therapy, Occupations, Quality of Life

Abstract

We conducted this systematic review, one of four related to productive aging, to explore the existing evidence for the health benefits of engagement in occupations and activities among older adults. The review incorporates the breadth of areas of occupation in which older adults engage and the range of health benefits derived from that engagement. The results of this review demonstrate the multidisciplinary appreciation for occupational engagement and associated well-being and elucidate the health effects of engagement in a wide variety of occupations and activities. Additionally, the results of this systematic review support occupational therapy's historical ideologies and core philosophies linking occupational engagement to improved health and well-being. The findings suggest an increasing role for occupational therapy service delivery in community-based health promotion and prevention efforts to meet the everyday activity and health needs of the growing older adult population.

DOI

10.5014/ajot.2012.003707

Volume

66

Issue

3

First Page

301

Last Page

310

Disciplines

Occupational Therapy

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