Participation-Centered Treatment for Elderly with Mild Cognitive Deficits: A “Book Club” Group Case Study

Application of the Person-Environment-Occupation-Performance Model: A Scoping Review

The Person-Environment-Occupation-Performance (PEOP) Model is one of several occupation-based models in occupational therapy. The model describes the transactional nature of person, environment, and occupation factors that support performance (doing), participation (engagement), and well-being (health and quality of life). The purpose of this study was to explore the extent and nature of evidence on the PEOP Model. We used a scoping review to identify and analyze journal articles that used the PEOP Model as a framework for study. The PRISMA extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR) criteria were used to develop the research methods. We found 109 articles that adopted the PEOP Model as an organizing framework. The studies reviewed represent the breadth of occupational therapy practice and the transactional nature of person, environment, occupation, and performance in the PEOP Model. The PEOP Model is a useful international framework for research and practice across populations, conditions, life circumstances, settings, and areas of practice.

Relación del nivel ocupacional, funcionamiento cognitivo y satisfacción vital en mayores de 55 años

El progresivo envejecimiento de la población obliga a las administraciones con competencias en materia sanitaria a intervenir en los efectos adversos de la falta de actividad física o funcional (depresión, ansiedad, deterioro cognitivo e insatisfacción vital, entre otros). El objetivo de este estudio es comprobar si el nivel de ocupación en actividades básicas de la vida cotidiana u ocio de una muestra de personas mayores de 55 años tiene influencia sobre el grado de funcionamiento cognitivo y su satisfacción vital. Se trata de un estudio transversal, con un muestreo no probabilístico por conveniencia, desarrollado con 302 personas mayores de 55 años de varios centros participación activa (CPA) de la provincia de Almería (España). Los instrumentos utilizados para la valoración comprendieron el Mini-Exámen Cognoscitivo, la Escala de Satisfacción de Filadelfia y el Cuestionario de Conducta Ocupacional de Mayores (C-COM). El análisis multigrupo de los datos también incluyó un modelo estructural mediante path analysis. Los resultados han verificado la influencia de la ocupación en el deterioro cognitivo y la satisfacción vital, tanto en hombres como en mujeres. Las actividades de ocio aportan una mayor satisfacción vital que las ocupaciones del quehacer diario. La actitud hacia el envejecimiento ha sido el factor que ha arrojado una mayor correlación con el nivel ocupacional de la persona. Los datos respaldan la necesidad de unas recomendaciones adecuadas para el diseño de programas específicos que favorezcan intervenciones individuales y colectivas enfocadas al ejercicio, la prevención del deterioro cognitivo y el fomento de la satisfacción vital.

Altering the boundaries of everyday life in a nursing home context

BACKGROUND

Despite global and local policy frameworks that explicitly aim to privilege participation and active engagement of older adults living in nursing homes, this group often has limited possibilities to engage in occupations and to have influence in their everyday lives.

AIM

To explore how older adults' engagement and influence in an occupation can emerge in everyday life in a nursing home setting.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A participatory qualitative approach was applied. Older adults living in a nursing home participated in a Book Club that was created collaboratively between researchers, residents, and the nursing home community.

FINDINGS

The analysis identified qualities of altering the boundaries of everyday life and addressing the uncertain conditions for influence and engagement as processes actualized by the residents when engaging in the Book Club. Further analysis identified how these processes involved ordinariness, familiarity, fellowship, and connectedness.

CONCLUSION AND SIGNIFICANCE

Engagement and influence in occupation in a nursing home is possible when enabling partnerships and resourcefulness among the residents. However, such enablement is not guaranteed and needs to be actively upheld by the nursing home community in order to build practices aligned with policy frameworks of participation.

Interventions for older persons reporting memory difficulties: a randomized controlled pilot study

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to compare three different interventions for persons who report memory difficulties: health promotion, cognitive training, and a participation-centered course, using a single-blind, randomized controlled design.

METHODS

Participants were 44 Israeli adults with memory complaints, aged 65 years or older. The main outcome variable was the Global Cognitive Score assessed using the MindStreams(®) mild cognitive impairment assessment, a computerized cognitive assessment. The Mini-Mental State Examination and the self-report of memory difficulties were also utilized. To assess well-being, the UCLA Loneliness Scale-8 was used. Health was evaluated by self-report instruments.

RESULTS

All three interventions resulted in significant improvement in cognitive function as measured by the computerized cognitive assessment. All approaches seemed to decrease loneliness. The only variable which showed a significant difference among the groups is the self-report of memory difficulties, in which the cognitive training group participants reported greater improvement than the other groups.

CONCLUSION

Multiple approaches should be offered to older persons with memory complaints. The availability of diverse options would help fit the needs of a heterogeneous population. An educational media effort to promote the public's understanding of the efficacy of these multiple approaches is needed.