Occupational therapy for the maintenance of functionality and social participation of the physically frail older person living at home
Everyone wants to stay at home, right? But when you get older, that is not always obvious... Together with the elderly person, the occupational therapist looks for how they can continue to live safely in their familiar environment. And the occupational therapist does this evidence-based. Clinical guidelines are a useful tool for delivering quality work.
Due to the complex chronic problems of the frail older person, healing is often no longer possible and the pursuit of maintaining functioning and social participation is essential. Occupational therapists work mainly preventively and entertaining for the frail older person. For example, the occupational therapist aims to prevent falls or to reduce repeated falls. In case of limitations due to a certain condition, such as permanent reduced mobility after a total hip replacement, the occupational therapist, in consultation with the older person, looks for aids, adjustments and/or method changes that can facilitate daily functioning despite this limitation. Occupational therapists work on the basis of 'meaningful action' by the older person.
A limited number of occupational therapy interventions already have a positive influence on the autonomy of the older person. However, in contrast to other Western care structures, occupational therapists in primary care in Belgium are only recognized to a limited extent and are largely underused.
Therefore, the government made the development of a clinical practice guideline for maintaining the functionality and social participation of the physically frail older person living at home one of its priorities. Clinical practice guidelines are systematically developed documents with evidence-based recommendations that help healthcare professionals and patients make decisions. (Institute of Medicine, 1990)
This project contributes to achieving the WHO objectives in the context of the 'Decade of Healthy Aging 2020-2030'. (WHO, 2020)
Partners
A consortium consisting of experts working within the Artevelde University College, the Master in Occupational Therapy science program and the Academic Center for General Practice of KU Leuven, the geratrie service of UZ Leuven, the Union Professionelle des Ergothérapeutes, the Wit-Gele Kruis, the Scientific Association of Flemish Physiotherapists and SqaQel was selected to work out this assignment. A large and diverse group of stakeholders periodically provides feedback on the developed work. Artevelde University College is leading this project.
Research realisations and publications
Research report
10 priorities towards a decade of healthy ageing.
Clinical guideline
Occupational therapy for maintaining the functionality and social participation of the physically frail older person living at home.
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