Understanding older people as occupational beings

• There is limited research reporting older adults’ engagement in occupations. Until recently very little research has been undertaken ‘about the nature of occupation and its significance to humans. Research such as this project is beginning to provide the vehicle for addressing this by qualifying and quantifying the effect of occupation on various parts of older individuals’ lives.  The overall aim of this study is to investigate the occupational engagement of older individuals’ and identify differences between UK and Swedish populations. The objectives are to explore motivating factors for participating in different occupations and patterns of occupations performed by older individuals as well as possible relationships between health, well-being and occupation in later life. Furthermore the objectives are to identity time spent on different occupations, the purpose of conducting these occupations and the breadth of roles. Finally the objectives are to draw comparisons between different categories of individuals, in particular cultural groups, retired people/still employed people and men/women. This study uses a mixed qualitative and quantitative methodology in the form of a structured interview and a time use diary. This research will contribute significantly to understanding the support services required to enable older adults to spend time performing meaningful occupations. In addition the findings will inform both remedial and preventive interventions promoting physical and psychological well being.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Arbetsterapi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Occupational Therapy (hsv//eng)

Keyword

older adults

engagement in occupations

UK and Swedish populations

Occupational therapy

Arbetsterapi

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

kon (subject category)