OTD Capstone: Aging In Place - Adaptive Solutions

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstone Project & Adaptive Equipment Education

New

Created byJessie Woodyard

Last updated 4/2026

English

What you'll learn

Identify the need for adaptive equipment education in older adults in the community before becoming injured or ill.
Discuss current relevant research on outcomes of educational programs related to adaptive equipment or Aging in Place.
Sustainability strategies for adaptive equipment education and resources in the communities Aging Resources serve.
Educational and informational resources for older adults or caregivers related to variety of adaptive equipment available to fit various client needs.

Course content

1 section • 8 lectures • 1h 9m total length

Introduction7:14
Class objectives & Research behind the project
Capstone Goals and Impact for OT Profession10:47
Capstone focus and overarching goals & Contribution to OT
Program Objective #1 - Educational Resources8:42
Project Objective #1: Demonstrate the ability to utilize and analyze evidence for occupation-based practice and develop habits of life-long learning.
Project Outcomes: Electronic resource with current evidence-based research, plus information on Adaptive on the market
Program Objective #2 - Sustainable AE Education Materials11:22
Project Objective #2: Display professionalism, ethical behavior, and advocacy skills to influence positive change with clients, communities, and the profession.
Project Outcomes: Video recording of presented PowerPoint with information on adaptive equipment and physical demonstration of AE
Program Objective #3 - Community Resources & Aging in Place17:25
Project Objective #3: Student will create a compiled artifact to use in identifying community resources for AE and related resources to program trainings.
Project Outcomes: Create helpful resource with various tips and locations that and older adult would want to know in the future if they needed AE or other modifications
Program Objective #4 - Caregiver Resources6:50
Project Objective #4: Student will create an artifact on caregiver community resources that supplement current resources provided by Aging Resource’s current OT
Project Outcomes: Create document with resources supplemental to current caregiver resources
Program Objective #5 - Interprofessional Collaboration Log3:07
Program Objective #5: Student will demonstrate ability to collaborate with multiple professionals and meet with older adults in various rural areas to promote implementation of program and resources within the community.
Program Outcomes: Weekly log with professionals worked with and where Adaptive Solutions program services were provided
Conclusion & Acknowledgements3:37
Sustainability of Program, Reference list access, Acknowledgements
Adaptive Solutions Program Takeaways

Requirements

No experience with adaptive or assistive technology required. No healthcare experience required.

Description

I completed my Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstone by creating this program, Adaptive Solutions, in urban and rural communities in Central Iowa through Aging Resources of Central Iowa and donated equipment from Easter Seals of Iowa. In this course I teach you about the research behind this program, and offer free resources to help older adults, those living with a disability, or caregivers of those populations with greater confidence in the world of adaptive equipment and assistive technology! I do not pressure anyone to buy the equipment but more offer education on what is out there for future aging planning.

Examples of resources included are adaptive equipment loan closet lists, adaptive equipment handouts, PowerPoint educational resources, links to videos of adaptive equipment demonstrations, and other helpful resources for purchasing adaptive equipment as well. This could be for anyone, not just those with a diagnosed disability to benefit from as it is only education with no marketing. This could allow someone to better plan for the future and making their home more accessible without grand house changes. Or giving someone ideas for how to work towards making their home more accessible before they retire so they can age in place in their home for as long as possible, while being as safe and confident.

Who this course is for:

Anyone interested in learning more about what adaptive equipment or assistive technology is out there. This course can also assist caregivers in knowledge of options to help their loved one in being more independent or safe in their home. This can also just be for older adults or adults with disabilities that may find this information helpful for their own rehabilitation or growth in their independence!