Date of Award

2026

Document Type

Scholarly Project

Degree Name

Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)

Department

Occupational Therapy

First Advisor

Dr. Wanda Lauer

Abstract

Introduction: Older adults living in senior living communities are at an increased risk of social isolation, depression, boredom, and decreased quality of life (Donovan & Blazer, 2020; du Toit et al., 2019). Increasing access to meaningful, person-centered leisure activities can improve life satisfaction and overall quality of life for older adults (Chang et al., 2021; Shryock & Meeks, 2020). The purpose of this project was to develop a product to increase meaningful leisure engagement amongst older adults living in senior living communities for an overall improved quality of life.

Methodology: The model of human occupation (MOHO) was utilized as the guiding theoretical framework for the scholarly project and product development (Kielhofner, 1985). A literature review, needs assessment, and on-site experience within a rural senior living community were completed to identify barriers to leisure engagement and inform the product development.

Results: A toolkit titled Sense of Engagement: A Leisure Engagement Toolkit for Senior Living Communities was created to support care staff in promoting leisure engagement among residents across multiple levels of care. This toolkit includes general educational resources and three associated modules tailored to assisted living, skilled nursing, and memory care settings.

Conclusions: The Sense of Engagement toolkit provides practical and adaptable strategies and tools to support care staff in facilitating meaningful leisure opportunities for older adults in senior living communities. This toolkit contributes to the field of occupational therapy by tailoring leisure activities to the residents' functional abilities and preferences, with the aim of enhancing engagement and overall quality of life.

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