Teaching Transfer Skills to Older Adults: Identification of Strategies Used by Occupational Therapists

Abstract

Introduction: Community occupational therapists frequently teach transfer skills to older adults. The teaching strategies used should be documented because they can affect the outcomes of interventions. Objective: The objective of the study was to identify the strategies used by community occupational therapists when teaching transfer skills to older adults. Method: Eleven community occupational therapists were recruited from six health and social services centres in Québec, Canada. Data were collected through observations of transfer interventions (n = 31), followed by in-depth interviews (n = 12). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and grounded theory methods. Findings: Strategies consisted of nine methods, eight tools and nine intensity adjustments. The methods were explaining, demonstrating, having the client try, giving feedback on performance, involving the client, seeking and obtaining client's feedback, questioning, and involving a teaching assistant. Tools varied according to the teaching method. These tools were gestures, equipment, visual aids, written, verbal and somatosensory instructions, assistant as client and occupational therapist as client. Finally, intensity adjustments were related to the scope, directedness, duration, frequency and pace of teaching. Conclusion: A range of teaching strategies used by community occupational therapists were identified. Three methods, five tools and nine intensity adjustments were identified for the first time.