The proportion of adults aged 65 and older in the United States is steadily rising as the baby boomer population continues to age (Alzheimer's Association, 2017). Given the prevalence of older adults with neurocognitive disorders, it is an international research priority to identify effective treatments to prevent, significantly delay progression, or positively intervene throughout the course of the disease (Posner et al., 2017). Rehabilitation professionals have the opportunity to target brain health through the reduction of modifiable risk factors. In an attempt to respond to this need, the role of occupational therapy in a collaborative care program targeting brain health in older adults with cognitive impairment was explored. Therapy services were not incorporated into the Aging Brain Care (ABC) program prior to the Doctoral Capstone Experience (DCE). Through advocacy, education, and interdisciplinary collaboration, 22 patients were referred to occupational and physical therapy. The referrals served as the outcome measure for the DCE. The gap between the outpatient therapy clinic and the ABC program was bridged. The aims of this paper were (1) to investigate the role of occupational therapy for older adults with cognitive impairment and (2) to describe the role of occupational therapy in a well- established brain care program.

Creator

• Ham, Kiersten

Contributors

• Bednarski, Julie

Publisher

• University of Indianapolis

Language

• en

Identifier

• Ham. Kiersten..pdf

Keyword

• Health Sciences

• Occupational Therapy

Date created

• 2018-05

Rights statement

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/