Perceived occupational engagement and gaps among community-dwelling older adults in Malaysia

Engagement in occupations is an essential aspect of daily life among older people. Changes in age are often associated with changes in the pattern of engagement in occupations. However, the relationship between the actual and desired activities pattern of occupational engagement remains unclear among community-dwelling older adults in Malaysia. This study aimed to determine occupational engagement for each activity and occupational gaps related to domains among the older adults.

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 335 community-dwelling older people, using the Malay version of the Occupational Gaps Questionnaire (OGQ-M).

The findings indicate that there are significant differences in occupational engagement across domains: leisure (p < 0.001), social (p = 0.04) and total occupational domains (p < 0.001). There is a significant difference between actual and desired performed activities in doing laundry (p = 0.031), outdoor activities (p < 0.001), listening to the radio and watching television/video (p = 0.003), helping and supporting others (p = 0.019), travelling for pleasure (p < 0.001) and performing voluntary work (p = 0.025).

In conclusion, OGQ is a useful tool in screening the occupational gaps among community-dwelling older adults. Age, health and continuity of roles and responsibility as caretakers of the family are several factors that lead to higher occupational gaps among the older people in the community. With the emergence of occupational engagement and gaps, advancements in health care delivery are necessary for retirement planning among community-dwelling older adults in enhancing active participation towards better retirement life.