| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Occupational Therapy with Aging Adults |
| Subtitle of host publication | Promoting Quality of Life through Collaborative Practice |
| Publisher | Elsevier Inc. |
| Pages | 28-40 |
| Number of pages | 13 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9780323228169 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9780323067768 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 2016 |
Funding
An example of a long-term, well-established health-promoting service agency for aging adults is Independent Living, Inc. (ILI). ILI was established in 1967 by Jean Kiernat, Betty Hasselkus, faculty at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and social workers in Dane County, Wisconsin. These OT visionaries understood the concepts of occupational performance and engagement, and the social support needs of aging adults. Thus they founded ILI to provide services so that older adults could remain living at home for as long as possible. Initial OT services included home safety assessments and interventions by OTPs, as well as social work support services. These later evolved so that an OTR and a certified occupational therapy assistant (COTA) supervised a carpenter who made grab bar installations and built chair and sofa extenders, before their commercial availability. Services were initially funded by grants or contracts, and additionally included consultations and interventions to adapt the living environments of aging residents of congregate living facilities. Adaptations included a range of modifications, including adding or adjusting lighting, highlighting stair edges and appliances to accommodate age-related vision changes, supplying adaptive equipment for bathrooms, and educating residents on safety precautions to prevent falls and other injuries. Serving all of Dane County, Wisconsin, ILI has expanded and has continued to provide health-promoting services for 40 years.
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Medicine
- General Health Professions
Cite this
- APA
- Standard
- Harvard
- Vancouver
- Author
- BIBTEX
- RIS