Generation 2 Generation: OT Students' Experience with Well Older Adults in a CCRC

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Occupational Therapy Education

Background:

• Older adults relocating to continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) often experience relocation stress.
• Effective support requires understanding the unique challenges faced by this population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an intergenerational fieldwork experience for occupational therapy doctoral students.
• To enhance students' understanding and appreciation of working with older adults in CCRCs.

Main Methods:

• Third-year occupational therapy doctoral students engaged in a semester-long project with CCRC residents.
• Students conducted client meetings and presented their findings, focusing on therapeutic use of self, wellness, clinical reasoning, and occupation-based care.

Main Results:

• The fieldwork provided students with practical experience in addressing the needs of older adults in CCRCs.
• Students gained insights into the relocation stress phenomenon and its impact on residents.

Conclusions:

• Intergenerational fieldwork is a valuable pedagogical tool for occupational therapy education.
• This experience fostered essential skills for client-centered, occupation-based practice with older adults.