Date of Award
2020
Document Type
Scholarly Project
Degree Name
Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT)
Department
Occupational Therapy
First Advisor
Sclinda Janssen
Abstract
Purpose
Residents in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) are experiencing depression and occupational deprivation and have limited opportunities to engage in meaningful activities (Causey-Upton, 2015). The purpose of this scholarly project is to address the health, well-being, and quality of life of residents in SNFs by creating an evidence-based, model-driven, accessible resource for occupational therapy (OT) practitioners to promote the use of occupation-based interventions using leisure as a therapeutic modality.
Methodology
The results of a thorough literature review supported the need for a resource for OT practitioners. Literature supporting engagement in occupation-based interventions, especially leisure, to enhance physical, mental, and emotional health and well-being emerged during the literature review (Causey-Upton, 2015; Janssen & Grabanski, 2019; Kuykendall, Tay, & Ng, 2015). While there is much research to support the benefits of providing occupation-based interventions, many OT interventions in SNFs use rote exercise and are considered unskilled practice, which is inappropriate and potentially unethical (American Occupational Therapy Association [AOTA], 2017). The information gathered in the literature review guided the development of a unique website for OT practitioners in SNFs. The website was designed using the novel environment-health-occupation-wellness (E-HOW) practice model and the learning theory of andragogy (Cox, 2015; Knowles et al., 2018; Pizzi & Richards, 2017).
Results
The literature review and models guided the creation of the product, the OTinSNF.com website, which is a unique, user-friendly resource to promote reimbursable and meaningful leisure-based interventions that can be easily graded and adapted. These interventions facilitate residents’ engagement and enjoyment in the therapeutic process while they work toward functional goals.
Conclusions
It is anticipated that the product, OTinSNF.com, will promote health, well-being, and quality of life for residents in SNFs by providing an evidence-based, model-driven, accessible resource for OT practitioners to promote the use of occupation-based interventions using leisure as a therapeutic modality.
Recommended Citation
Hauck, Elizabeth and Miller, Summer, "Operationalizing Leisure as a Therapeutic Modality in Skilled Nursing Facilities: A Web-Based Resource" (2020). Occupational Therapy Capstones. 445.
https://commons.und.edu/ot-grad/445