The Effect of a Transfer Device in the Homes of Elderly Women

Use of a Modified Canadian Occupational Performance Measure for Assistive Technology Outcomes in Postsecondary Education

The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) has been used to assess the effectiveness of assistive technology (AT). We explored whether a modified COPM was sensitive to change in perceived performance and satisfaction, and whether frequency of AT use resulted in greater change in the domains measured (reading, writing, note-taking, test-taking, and study skills). Significant interactions were found between time and use frequency with greater change in perceived performance in the daily-use group in several domains. In addition, the intra-class correlation showed moderate to strong equivalent forms reliability between two assessment formats. Based on these preliminary results, the ATRC-mCOPM was found to be a sensitive measure of perceived performance and satisfaction utilizing AT services in a postsecondary education setting.

Predictors of Bath Grab-Bar Use among Community-Living Older Adults

Bathrooms are a common location for falls among older adults. Bath grab bars can assist in promoting safe bath transfers. The aim of this study was to identify predictors of bathroom safety-device use among community-living seniors. A two-stage sampling strategy was used to select, first, a random sample of non-universal apartment buildings and a matched sample of universal buildings, from among non-profit apartment buildings in two Canadian regions; and second, a random sample of participants within each building. A total of 550 seniors participated in face-to-face interviews in their apartments. Participants within each building type presented with similar profiles. A logistic regression was used to identify predictors of grab-bar use among participants who had grab bars and entered the bathtub on a regular basis (n= 478). Significant predictors, in order of odds ratios, were bathing difficulties, ease of grab-bar use, living in buildings with policies supporting universal access to grab bars, having a history of falls, and reporting few psychosocial consequences of grab-bar use. Findings of this study emphasize the importance of promoting access as a key strategy for increasing use and have important implications for policy planning and falls-prevention initiatives.

Application of the Person-Environment-Occupation Model: a practical tool

Occupational therapy focuses on complex dynamic relationships between people, occupations and environments. Therapists must clearly communicate their practices and how their practice influences outcomes. This paper explores applications of the Person-Environment-Occupation Model (Law et al., 1996) in occupational therapy practice, and delineates how this particular model helps therapists to conceptualize, plan, communicate and evaluate occupational performance interventions. Three case studies illustrate how the model can be used by occupational therapists to systematically approach analysis of occupational performance issues while considering the complexities of human functioning and experience. The ways in which the model facilitates communication within and outside occupational therapy are explained. The Person-Environment-Occupation Model is offered as a tool for therapists to use in client(s)-therapist alliances to enable clients to successfully engage in meaningful occupations in chosen environments.