Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Using Leisure As A Therapeutic Activity To Enhance Health, Well-Being, And Quality Of Life Among Long Term Care Residents, Olivia Mayasich, Alexis Tyce

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose The purpose of this scholarly project is to address health, well-being, and quality of life with the use of leisure activities as modalities with residents in long term care (LTC) facilities.

Methodology The results of a thorough literature review supported the need for a program to address leisure participation in residents in LTC facilities. An abundance of literature supporting participation in leisure to enhance health, well-being, and quality of life emerged from the literature review, revealing an obvious gap between literature and practice. The information gathered in the literature review helped guide the development of a program manual to …

Promoting Successful Community Re-Integration For Incarcerated Juveniles: The Role Of Occupational Therapy To Enhance Quality Of Life, Madison Gerszewski, Bailey Odegaard

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The purpose of this scholarly project is to present a manual for occupational therapists working with juvenile delinquents in their transition into the community following incarceration. The intended outcome of the project is for juvenile delinquents to be independent, successful members of the community.

A literature review pertaining to juvenile delinquents was conducted and addressed recidivism, risk factors, and unmet needs. At this time, there are no practice guidelines in the United States that capture occupational therapy’s scope of practice when working with adolescents who have been involved in the criminal justice system.

A manual was developed in order to …

Wise And Well: A Pilot Study On The Effects Of Providing A Wellness Group Protocol To Enhance Occupational Fit Among Rural Community Dwelling Elderly Women, Brianna Berendt, Carly Hills

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Problem: There is a need for rural services for community-dwelling women due to a lack of resources, transportation, and social opportunities (Bacsu et a!., 2016; Averill, 201 2). Likewise, Shimada et a!. (2014) emphasized the impact and causes of social isolation on elderly individuals and how important it is for elderly individuals to establish a support system when facing challenges throughout later life. A third problem was described by Choi et a!. (2013) in that elderly individuals may experience a loss of independence and functional decline can result from being physically inactive. This indicates that there are increased health risks …

The Effects Of Self-Stigma On Occupational Engagement For Adults With Mental Illness, Alyssa A. Kostreba, Taylor E. Lavoi

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore the impacts of self-stigma on everyday occupations of persons with serious and persistent mental illness. Greater understanding of the impacts of self-stigma is important to development of occupation-based interventions used by occupational therapists in mental health settings.

Methodology: A qualitative phenomenological approach was utilized to interview six participants between the ages of 31-58 years old with severe and persistent mental illness. High level in vivo coding was used to interpret participant responses.

Results: Four themes emerged from participant interviews: 1) negative impact on self, 2) coping with negative social encounters, 3) …

Happy Hearts: A Caregiver's Guide To Assisting Patients With Heart Failure, Stephanie Carlson, Ashley Waller

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The purpose of this scholarly project was to develop a holistic guide that could be provided by occupational therapists (OTs) to caregivers of individuals with heart failure (HF). A thorough literature review was completed on the impact that caregiving for individuals with HF has on mental, physical and environmental aspects of the caregiver and their role as a caregiver. The literature revealed that there is a significant number of individuals with HF and the role of caregiving is on the rise. As the need for caregivers’ increases, the demands associated with caregiving responsibilities increases accordingly. Activities that caregivers assist HF …

The Incidence And Influence Of Musculoskeletal And Nerve Injuries Among Occupational Therapists: An Exploratory Study, Alyssa A. Jenkins, Renae H. Witta

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: The purpose of this research study was to explore the incidence and influence of musculoskeletal and nerve injuries among occupational therapists. Specifically, we examined the influence of musculoskeletal and nerve injuries on work satisfaction, work performance and overall quality of life in occupational therapists practicing in physical rehabilitation settings.

Methodology: An exploratory survey research design was implemented following study approval from the University of North Dakota (UND) Institutional Review Board. Occupational therapists who were affiliated with the UND Occupational Therapy Program contract sites were invited, via email, to participate in this exploratory study. In addition, the survey was posted …

Occupational Therapy Based Guide For Caregivers Of Individuals With Muscular Dystrophy, Chelsea Hesby, Macaila Pagel

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The purpose of this scholarly project was to develop a holistic guide that could be provided by occupational therapists (OTs) to caregivers of individuals with muscular dystrophy (MD). A comprehensive literature review was conducted on the impact that caregiving for individuals with MD has on quality of life, stress management and mental health. The review of literature also explored caregivers’ access to resources and common difficulties experienced. The literature revealed that there have been recent advances in medical fields which have led to an increased lifespan for individuals with MD to an average age of 27 years old (Eagle et …

The Role Of Occupational Therapy In Skilled Dementia Care: Improving Quality Of Life, Kelly Bainbridge, April Benoit

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The occurrence of dementia has been increasing over the years. It is estimated that the number of people with dementia will increase to more than 45 million within the next 20 years (Ferri et al., 2005). This increase will lead to an increased demand for occupational therapists to work with individuals with dementia within skilled care units to meet the vast needs of this population and promote quality of life. Occupational therapists are skilled in working with people with dementia; yet, most occupational therapists do not feel confident in their role with skilled dementia care. This has been found to …

A Lifestyle Modification Program For Community Dwelling Adults With Obesity, Ashlee M. Lee, Julie A. Stolt

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Obesity is significantly rising among adults in the United States. The Center for Disease Control (CDC, 2009e), estimates that obesity increased by 15% to 32.9% within a 20 year span (1985 – 2008). Clinical obesity is defined as having a BMI 30 and over; it is correlated with secondary complications that include hypertension, type II diabetes, osteoarthritis, cardiovascular diseases, cancers, cerebral vascular accidents, sleep apnea, and respiratory illnesses (CDC, 2009d; World Health Organization [WHO], 2009). Beyond the many health consequences caused by obesity, there are also psychosocial, genetic, and discriminatory aspects of this disease that negatively impact the quality of …

Easing The Transition Into Long Term Care: An Occupation Based Approach, Sarah Boroos, Janel Ludenia

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The purpose of this scholarly project is to present methods to help ease the transition process for older adults into a long term care (LTC) facility using a meaningful occupation based approach. An estimated .9% of the community dwelling individuals versus 72% of long term care residents exhibit some form of depression (Harris & Haffer, 2003; Harris, 2007). Consequently residents experience decrease functional status and decreased quality of life. A comprehensive literature review of adults' transitioning into LTC facilities was conducted using PubMed, Ebsco, Psychlnfo, Scopus, OT search, CINAHL, AJOT, textbooks, and the internet. The literature supp0l1s the need for …

Occupational Therapy For Client Empowerment In End-Of-Life Care, Emily Johnson, Sarah Landsem

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: To enable clients in end-of-life care (EOLC ) the opportunity to continue engaging in meaningful activities throughout their remaining days to increase QoL and experience a "good death."

Methods: To complete our Scholarly Project we conducted a literature review using PubMed, CINAHL, OTsearch, and AOTA publications search engines. We also conducted an informal information session with local hospice staff and from this information we chose model/theory to guide product development.

Results: Upon completion of the literature review, we found the following problems existed in regard to utilization of Occupational Therapy in end-of-life care setting; 1) hospice care team members …

Alzheimer's Toolbox: A Caregiver's Guide, Kristen Eastwood, Gerry Smith

Occupational Therapy Capstones

“Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia in North America and Europe” and “accounts for sixty percent of all irreversible dementia cases” (Moore, 2003, p. 50,126). Along with the 4.5 million Americans who suffer from Alzheimer’s, there are also the caregivers who are suffering alongside their loved one. The stress of caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s can be overwhelming. This affects the quality of life for those with Alzheimer’s and the health of the caregiver.

A comprehensive literature review was conducted to explore and identify effective techniques and interventions, pertinent to both the caregiver and patient's …

Quality Of Life Occupational Therapy Measurement Tool For Patients With Lymphedema/Chronic Venous Edema, Marsha Waind

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The objective of this project was the development of a tool in the form of a patient questionnaire to be used by Occupational Therapists (OT) treating patients with lymphedema/chronic venous edema. This questionnaire was designed to identify life factors beyond limb volume reduction and activity independence that correlate with the patients' perceptions of an improved quality of life, therefore promoting Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL).

Literature reviewed supported the premise that attainment of the typical OT goals of activity completion will not accomplish the desired result of lymphedema treatment, nor will lymphedema goal attainment of reduced limb measures achieve …

Protocol To Enhance Quality Of Life In Nursing Home Residents Through Implementation Of The Eden Alternative Concepts, Amy Slominski, Megan Briese

Occupational Therapy Capstones

No abstract provided.