F Kleinplatz | PubMed Health

PubMed1985

Vocational rehabilitation of the older worker.

Work is an important social role. A disability can interfere with a person's work abilities and opportunities at any age. Unfortunately, the older population has received disproportionately little attention in rehabilitation, particularly in vocational rehabilitation. This is true, in spite of the fact that there is a growing population of older persons, with a high prevalence of disability. When returning an older disabled person to work, consideration of his or her particular physical, psychological, and social characteristics is required. This paper discusses the involvement of occupational therapists in the returning of older persons to work.

Aged↗

PubMed1981

Evaluation of a yearlong reality orientation program.

The effectiveness of Reality Orientation (RO) as treatment for disorientation and behavioral deficits in institutionalized elderly adults was assessed over a one-year period, with evaluations at 6-month intervals. Residents of a home for the aged with varying degrees of disorientation and disability were treated with a 24-hour RO program and were compared with a control group. A subsample of disoriented residents also attended RO classes and was compared with controls. Treatment effects were assessed with a Mental Status Questionnaire (MSQ) and ratings of Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and interpersonal behaviors. Compared with controls, who showed deterioration, the subsample attending RO classes showed slight, statistically significant improvement on the MSQ after 6 months. There was no favorable effect on ADL or other measures. Comparisons with other studies suggest that advanced age, severity of disorientation and disability limit the effectiveness of RO.

Activities of Daily Living↗