Aging, Occupation and Wellbeing: The experience of older adults with mental health difficulties living in the community

In Ireland, people are living longer than previous generations, and as life expectancy grows so does the need for mental health services for older people. Occupational therapists use evidence-based strategies such as... [ view full abstract ]

In Ireland, people are living longer than previous generations, and as life expectancy grows so does the need for mental health services for older people. Occupational therapists use evidence-based strategies such as preventative occupation-focused programmes to enhance the wellbeing of community-dwelling older adults. However there has been no research into the specific programme needs of older people with anxiety and depression. Using a qualitative research design framed by a phenomenological approach, the researcher gathered critical information on the experience of community-living older persons who had been referred to the Dublin North City Psychiatry of Old Age team in relation to aging, occupation and wellbeing. Five semi-structured interviews were completed with potential participants who were purposively selected. These interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. The findings of the study reveal insights into the relationship between occupation, identity, aging and mental health. Occupational engagement was the means by which
participants tested their sense of wellbeing and self. By not being able to engage in a familiar and meaningful routine, participants experienced a crisis to their occupational identity, which provoked poor mental health and thoughts of being old. Revisiting previous occupations in different ways or finding meaning in new occupations supported participants to feel competent, socially connected and to realise their evolving sense of self. The results of this
study will be used to inform the development of an occupational therapy programme aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of older adults with anxiety and depression living in Dublin North City.