Occupational Therapies Role in Aging in Place Initiatives

Conducts a needs assessment to map occupational therapy roles in aging in place, identify education gaps and barriers such as cost and lack of knowledge, and support preventative home modifications.

Occupational therapy supports aging in place through home modifications that boost accessibility, independence, and safety, supported by evidence of cost savings and a four-phase assessment to re-evaluation framework.

This capstone expands awareness and outreach of aging in place initiatives by developing resources and home modification services to improve safety, independence, and quality of life for older adults.

Demonstrates how occupational therapy collaborates in a transdisciplinary team to support aging in place. Advocates environmental modifications, home assessments, and PEOP model to promote client-centered, evidence-based practice, safety, and independence.

Explore capstone site information for the Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity, a non-profit organization whose mission is to put God's love into the aging in place initiatives.

Apply evidence-based, occupation-based interventions while observing the home preservation program, assisting Habitats project managers with in-home assessments, and delivering client-centered, budget-conscious recommendations.

Occupational therapy emphasizes ethics and advocacy in aging-in-place care. It collaborates with experts to craft grant proposals and educational handouts for home preservation, repair, and modification programs.

Develops an aging at home pilot program addressing housing and nutritional support through a partnership between Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity and Wesley Life Meals on Wheels.

Engage across departments to communicate and collaborate on home preservation and aging in place initiatives, balancing technical, interactive, and business logistics for safe home modifications and CAHPS insights.

Acknowledges mentors and partners guiding the aging-in-place capstone, including Habitat for Humanity and CAHPSO, and highlights Wesley Life Meals on Wheels insights into senior needs in Central Iowa.

Review the references for a capstone project and note additional sources cited. Contact me by email or phone on the slide to discuss findings and experiences.