A SCOPING REVIEW: ENABLING OLDER ADULTS TO MEET THEIR OCCUPATIONAL NEEDS THROUGH ‘STAYING CONNECTED’

Abstract

Despite growing awareness in aging research of the importance of supporting older adults to remain ‘active and connected,’ this concept has not been translated into current occupational therapy practice. A scoping review of the aging literature was conducted to examine the congruence between the concepts of ‘staying connected,’ and ‘engaging in occupations with and for others’ within published research on older adults; and to determine how engaging in occupations with/for others enables older adults to address their occupational needs for affirmation, companionship, and pleasure. A case study was used to provide a clinical interpretation of the findings. If occupational therapists routinely address the issue of staying connected in their work with older clients, occupational therapy practice will change and better reflect the profession’s full potential.