Meeting diversity needs related to occupational therapy and an aging population

Society is evolving to be more culturally sensitive, resulting in health care providers assessing the impact of attested experiences and perceptions of the diverse aging population. Clients are more likely to seek health care interventions from providers who share a similar background. Diversity categorizes many configurations, such as ethnicity, religious beliefs, disability, race, sexual orientation, and age. “Responding to the needs of the growing number of diverse older adults and doing so in a culturally competent manner” (Stone-Walls, 2019) can foster efforts to create inclusive, fair opportunities. “Equity recognizes that advantages and barriers exist due to diversity and social conditions. As a result, not everyone is afforded the same initial opportunities to participate in society” (American Occupational Therapy Association [AOTA], 2020, p. 1).