ADVANCING AN OCCUPATIONAL PERSPECTIVE IN HEALTH PROMOTION: THE DO-LIVE-WELL PROJECT

Background: Active and healthy living campaigns aimed at promoting health and well-being have traditionally focused on nutrition and physical activity. Our perspective as occupational therapists can add a valuable contribution... [ view full abstract ]

Background: Active and healthy living campaigns aimed at promoting health and well-being have traditionally focused on nutrition and physical activity. Our perspective as occupational therapists can add a valuable contribution to this field by bringing attention to how patterns of everyday activities can promote not only physical health, but also mental, social and spiritual health. The purpose of this presentation is to share the "Do Live Well" (DLW) project, an occupational therapy driven health promotion and knowledge translation initiative designed to articulate the evidence-based links between what people do every day and their health and well-being.
Methods: The DLW framework was developed through a series of scoping literature reviews and stakeholder consultations. The framework includes eight key dimensions of occupational engagement, five characteristics of activity patterns and personal and social forces that shape both engagement and health and well-being outcomes.
Results: Our efforts to date have been dissemination of the framework into accessible language and tools for various English and French-speaking audiences. At this time, we have developed an online portal (www.dolivewell.ca) and a workshop for older adults in the community.
Conclusion: The DLW framework offers an approach to active living that is relevant to populations that have traditionally been excluded from active living efforts.
Application to Practice: The DLW project is a good opportunity for occupational therapists to be involved in the promotion of ways in which everyday activity patterns impact the health and well-being of all people at individual, community and societal levels.