Community-based participatory research remodelling occupational therapy to foster older adults’ social participation

Abstract

Background. Occupational therapists who provide community-based services are well positioned to foster older adults’ social participation. However, community occupational therapists rarely address social participation and require support to change their practice. Purpose. This study initiated a remodelling of community occupational therapy services by (a) selecting practices fostering older adults’ social participation and (b) identifying factors that could affect their integration. Method. A community-based participatory research study was conducted in a large Canadian city. Four focus group meetings and seven individual interviews were held with 28 key informants. Findings. A continuum of emerging practices was identified, including personalized, group-based, and community-based interventions. Potential enablers of these practices included clinical support, better communication, and user involvement. Organizational and systemic barriers were related to the institutional culture and performance indicators. Implications. These results point to innovative ways to foster older adults’ social participation and identify potential enablers and barriers affecting their integration.