POSITION STATEMENT

Occupational Therapy and Ageing Across

the Life Course
Statement of the position being taken
Occupational therapy plays an essential role in an integrated system of services needed for healthy
ageing across the life course. The unique focus of occupational therapy on the value of occupation
advances the functional ability of older adults in meaningful contexts to support participation,
inclusion, respect and security. Occupational therapists recognize active ageing, with involvement in
lifelong activity and social interaction significantly contributes to creating and maintaining health,
wellbeing and quality of life1.
Occupational therapists are experts in the relationship between the environment, occupation and
people. Using evidence-informed processes, occupational therapy addresses factors such as
individual ability, design of the built environment, institutional policy and societal attitude to promote
the rights and opportunities for older adults to engage in occupations of choice or need.

Statement of the significance of position or issue to occupational therapy

The WHO Global Strategy and Action Plan on Aging and Health 2 is directed toward a vision where all
people can live a long and healthy life. Occupational therapists contribute to this vision by enabling
older adults to engage in occupations that bring meaning, provide economic benefit and add to the
cultural fabric of their communities. Occupational therapists also shape occupational context by
raising awareness of needs of older adults and supporting the development of inclusive design.
Occupational therapists have a multifaceted role to promote age friendly environments, including
involvement with provision of assistive technology, education and training; enabling community
participation and security; influencing policy and attitudes; and addressing accessibility of housing
and community buildings, transportation and outdoor spaces3.
It is known that older people often face reduced social and economic opportunities, damage to self-
esteem, and exacerbated physical and mental health problems as result of ageist dynamics4.
Occupational therapists adopt a rights-based approach for combating occupational injustice and
marginalisation to promote opportunity for all people to freely engage in necessary and chosen
occupations.

Statement of the significance of the position to society

Rapid population ageing is occurring in almost every country at an unprecedented rate. It is expected
that one in five people will be 60 years or older by 2050, totalling two billion people worldwide 2. This
population shift has far-reaching impact. Occupational choices and possibilities of older adults are
known to be shaped by societal context, with independence, mobility, quality of life and safety

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affected by characteristics of the built environment 5. Inclusive supports and accessible infrastructure
are needed, designed to enable participation of older adults in society1.
Occupational therapists work collaboratively with key partners to promote occupational participation
and influence social policy and infrastructure in relation to local contexts and population needs. The
client-centred and enablement approach of occupational therapists empowers older people to
engage in the design of their environment, enhance their ability to work, live and age in place and
contribute to their overall health and wellbeing. The benefits can be multifold; older people have a
wide range of experience to contribute to society in diverse areas of life. Enabling this resource of
knowledge and skills reduces social isolation and advances societal development by promoting
diversity, intergenerational engagement and productivity.

Conclusion

Older people offer valuable resources to families, communities and economies, but face risk of
declining abilities and associated role losses, social isolation and marginalisation as part of the ageing
process. Healthy ageing is a strategy to develop and maintain functional ability to enable well-being in
older age2. Occupational therapists have a key role in empowering older adults in healthy ageing by
enabling occupations, as well as environments which support occupation throughout the lifespan.

References
(1) World Health Organization. World Report on Ageing and Health. 2015; Available from
https://www.who.int/ageing/publications/world-report-2015/en/ [Accessed July 23, 2020].

(2) World Health Organisation. Global Strategy and Action Plan on Aging and Health. 2017; Available from WHO
https://www.who.int/ageing/global-strategy/en/ [Accessed July 23, 2020].

(3) Gamliel E, Levi-Belz Y. To end life or to save life: ageism moderates the effect of message framing on attitudes towards older
adults' suicide. International Psychogeriatrics. 2016; 1: 1-8. doi: 10.1017/S1041610216000636

(4) Rudman DL. Positive Aging and Its Implications for occupational possibilities in later life. Canadian Journal of Occupational
Therapy. 2006. 73: 188-192.

WHO. Global Friendly Cities: A Guide. 2007. Available from https://www.who.int/ageing/age_friendly_cities_guide/en/ [Accessed
(5)
July 23, 2020].

Contributors:
Claudia von Zweck, Canada
Tracey Partridge, New Zealand
Lee Zakrzewski, Australia
Yara Peterko, Austria
Yedida Borow, Israel
Noa Givon, Israel
Maayan Katz, Israel
Ruty Sagiv, Israel

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