title: Embedding health-promoting changes into the daily lives of independent-living older adults: long-term follow-up of occupational therapy intervention.
abstract: The Well Elderly Study was a randomized trial in independent-living older adults that found significant health, function, and quality of life benefits attributable to a 9-month program in preventive occupational therapy (OT). All participants completing the trial were followed for an additional 6 months without further intervention and then reevaluated using the same battery of instruments. Long-term benefit attributable to preventive OT was found for the quality of interaction scale of the Functional Status Questionnaire and for six of eight scales on the RAND SF-36: physical functioning, role functioning, vitality, social functioning, role emotional, and general mental health (p<.05). Approximately 90% of the therapeutic gain observed following OT treatment was retained in follow-up. The finding of a sustained effect for preventive OT is of great public health relevance given the looming health care cost crisis associated with our nation's expanding elderly population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.forename: S P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Azen
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Carlson
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mandel
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: LaBree
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hay
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zemke
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lipson
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009788:Occupational Therapy; D011788:Quality of Life