Functional Ability in the Changing Demographic Landscape: Evidence and Opportunities for Occupational Therapy.

Abstract

The growing number of older adults is changing the demographic landscape. Occupational therapy can better serve the older adult population by helping them maintain their functional ability, which is the ability to engage in occupations. This special issue includes both studies of interventions to evaluate and support functional ability in community-dwelling older adults and systematic reviews of such studies. This editorial highlights the six systematic reviews, which were completed in collaboration with the American Occupational Therapy Association's Evidence-Based Practice Project. These reviews compile evidence for the effectiveness of interventions within the scope of occupational therapy practice to promote occupational performance in community-dwelling older adults. The distinct value of occupational therapy in supporting the functional ability of community-dwelling older adults with stable or declining health is discussed using the World Health Organization's framework for healthy aging.