Out-of-Home Participation Strategies and Reckoning With Risk for Older Adults With Cognitive Change

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Cognitive Science
• Occupational Therapy

Background:

• Aging in place enhances independence for community-dwelling older adults.
• Cognitive changes present challenges to mobility and community engagement for seniors.
• Maintaining out-of-home participation is crucial for quality of life in older adults.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the lived experience of community navigation and participation among older adults with cognitive changes.
• To identify strategies used by older adults with cognitive changes to engage with community settings.
• To understand risk perception and acceptance in daily activities for this population.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative exploratory study utilizing the go-along method.
• Involved 10 community-dwelling older adults experiencing cognitive changes.
• Combined mapping, observation, and interviews to gather in-depth insights.

Main Results:

• Identified three key strategies for community participation: place-based navigation, reliance on routines, and cultivation of familiar spaces.
• Revealed how individuals with cognitive changes accept or avoid risks in their daily lives.
• Demonstrated the adaptability of older adults with cognitive changes in maintaining community connections.

Conclusions:

• Findings inform the development of interventions to support out-of-home participation for older adults with cognitive changes.
• Existing functional strategies can be enhanced, and new ones taught to improve community engagement.
• Knowledge of risk consideration is valuable for therapists supporting this demographic.