Connecting Community & Occupational Therapy

Program

Hear from practitioners on their innovations and experiences for establishing various community-based programs. Considerations for program development will be discussed.

Integrating Occupation and Lifestyle as Critical Elements for Population Health
Health outcomes vary among groups. Choice to select and engage in occupation is not adequate for all populations. Occupational therapy can assist in constructing lifestyles that promote health for populations.

Speaker: Whitney Lucas Molitor, PhD, OTD, OTR/L, BCG, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, South Dakota

Community-Specific Considerations in Aging: An Introduction to South Asian Culture
South Asians in the United States have unique challenges in caregiving due to differences in culture and societal expectations. This session is an introduction to specifics of South Asian culture and its impact on current day caregiver practices in the United States.

Speaker: Pooja A. Patel, DrOT, OTR/L, CDP, CFPS, Caregiver Consulting & Healthy Solutions, LLC

Role of Interprofessional Team in Promoting Transition From High School to Community Integration for Transgender Youth With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Transgender youth with autism spectrum disorder face substantial obstacles that impact their ability to transition into the community to engage in meaningful occupations. Interprofessional teams can alleviate these obstacles through successful interventions.

Speakers: Sowmya Ganesh, DOT, MS, OTR/L, Saint Joseph's University, Philadelphia, PA; Karen Rice, MA CCC-SLP

The Value of a Multi-Disciplinary, Scaffolded Community-Engaged Support Network
Occupational therapists are leaders in community engagement. Challenges to community-engaged teaching and scholarship will demonstrate the value of a multi-disciplinary and scaffolded community-engaged support network, or community of practice.

Speaker: Ann Stuart, OTD, OTR/L, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA

Opportunity to Thrive: A Community-Based Program for Frailty in Senior Housing
Opportunity to Thrive addresses frailty and social participation of new residents in a senior housing facility. This unique, effective program highlights the role of OT in nontraditional settings and the impact of secondary prevention for seniors

Speakers: Nicole Fidanza, OTD, OTR/L, Quinnipiac University, Hamden CT; Darcy Rzepka, OTR/L, Health Pro Heritage; Julia Basso