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Updated: Apr 24, 2026
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Methodology for Establishing a Community-Wide Life Laboratory for Capturing Unobtrusive and Continuous Remote Activity and Health Data
Published on: July 27, 2018
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Activities and adaptation in late-life depression: a qualitative study
Mary Lou Leibold1, Margo B Holm2, Ketki D Raina3
1Mary Lou Leibold, PhD, OTR/L, is Assistant Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, 5012 Forbes Tower, Pittsburgh, PA 15260; mleibold@pitt.edu.
Summary
Older adults often continue daily activities when depressed, sometimes adapting them. Some intentionally stop activities to focus energy on priorities, highlighting the need for personalized occupational therapy assessments.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Psychiatry
- Occupational Therapy
Background:
- Depression significantly impacts older adults' daily lives and activity engagement.
- Understanding activity choices during depressive episodes is crucial for effective interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the activity choices of community-dwelling older adults experiencing depression.
- To identify themes related to continued and discontinued activities during depressive episodes.
Main Methods:
- A qualitative study involving semistructured interviews with 27 older adults in recovery from depression.
- Thematic analysis of interview transcripts to identify patterns in activity engagement.
Main Results:
- Six themes described activities older adults continued while depressed.
- Four themes identified activities that participants intentionally stopped.
- Participants adapted activities to maintain engagement and prioritized essential tasks.
Conclusions:
- Older adults often maintain instrumental activities of daily living despite depression.
- Intentional activity modification and cessation occur to manage limited energy.
- Client-centered qualitative assessments are vital for occupational therapy practitioners to understand individual activity choices and inform interventions.
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