Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

Therapeutic Riding And Psychological Health In Older Adults, Alyssa Pattison, Craig Ashford

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

This project explores the available quantitative and qualitative research to see if there is a link between therapeutic horseback riding and the reduction in symptoms of depression in older adults. Currently, there is a gap in evidence based research surrounding older populations with depression and therapeutic riding. However, research gathered on adolescents and adults suggest that therapeutic riding may alleviate depressive symptoms in persons over 65 years of age. Studies included in this project reveal groups of themes. The first is assessments, tools and evaluations. The second is animal assisted therapy, equine assisted therapy, therapeutic riding, and the barn environment. …

Occupational Therapy’S Role In Empowering The Oldest Old Population, Lauren Conigliaro, Nicole Wingfield

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

Question: Does occupational therapy promote occupational engagement and increase confidence in mobility in the oldest old population residing in assisted living facilities?

Assessing Dementia And Mild Cognitive Impairment Within The Home, Kate Sobanik, Melinda Blais

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

What are useful assessments which can be administered by occupational therapists for homebound adults with dementia or mild cognitive impairment that will influence practice patterns?

“Older Adults And Their Experiences With Home Care And Assisted Living”, Faith Robinson

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

As the state of Maine and the U.S. population at large continues to age, discussion about future care and living arrangements for older adults has become an increasingly relevant issue. Older adults are often faced with a range of options for housing, including staying in their home in their community while receiving home care services, or moving to an assisted living facility.

Currently a gap in the research exists as to the attitudes, perceptions, and lived experiences of the older adults themselves around these decisions, experiences, and the meaning of “home” in our older years. This study aims to provide …

Promotion Of The Village Model In Rural Areas: An Educational Guide, Caitlin Herdrick, Samantha Kraus

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Background: The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that the adult population will double the population of Americans aged 65 years or older during the next 25 years to 72 million (2013). The increasing age of baby boomers will have a significant impact on healthcare resources and available housing options. This will have a drastic effect on rural dwelling elderly individuals and their access to the healthcare and other resources. Many aging individuals want to remain in their homes, communities, and social circles. Remaining in one's home is more cost effective, compared to skilled nursing and assisted living facilities …

A Review Of Community Aging In Place Programs To Minimize Social Isolation In Older Adults, Heather J. Goodwater, Joanna M. Yutrzenka

Occupational Therapy Capstones

The aging baby boomer population calls for new solutions to enable older Americans to age in place in their communities of choice. Nine out of ten adults age 50 and older prefer to remain in their homes indefinitely as they age, or as long as they possibly can (Gonyea, & Burnes, 2013). However, program funding that supports aging in place does not come close to keeping pace with the rapid growth of the 65 and older population (American Institutes for Research, 2016). There are a limited number of programs in place to address socialization in community-dwelling older adults. The prevalence …