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This study examined the impact of personalized versus generalized education about environmental fall prevention recommendations on older adults' adherence with recommendations. Secondary aims focused on the impact of recent falls and perceived susceptibility of future falls on adherence with recommendations. Twenty-four community-dwelling older adults aged 65 to 89 years were randomized into two groups to receive either personalized or generalized education intervention on environmental fall prevention recommendations. A significant difference was found in the mean total percentage of adherence with recommendations of those receiving personalized education (69%) compared with those receiving generalized education (37%). No statistically significant relationship was found between sustaining recent falls, nor perceived susceptibility to future falls, and their extent of adherence with environmental fall prevention recommendations. Providing personalized education for environmental fall prevention recommendations may improve older adults' adherence with the recommendations given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Centennial Vision makes it clear that the profession of occupational therapy is facing challenges that require members to move beyond clinical excellence toward larger health care initiatives (American Occupational Therapy Association, 2007). Accomplishing this goal requires the development of professionals with leadership skills. The focus of the doctorate in occupational therapy at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) hits this mark. In this paper, we describe the development process of a postprofessional occupational therapy doctorate focused on building leaders. To exemplify putting the Centennial Vision in action through education, we describe courses and content, and offer examples of the capstone leadership project and data describing students' experiences with becoming leaders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this grounded theory study was to explore how engagement in occupation affects the adaptation process for older women with visual impairment. Data were collected and analyzed for seven participants using a constant comparative method. Nine categories emerged and were grounded in the data. A theoretical model was developed with the core category of adaptation. The interactions of participants' visual impairment, concurrent issues, threats to performance, losses, getting help, methods of doing, abilities, integration of losses and abilities, and adaptation. For these participants, the adaptation process was aided by getting help and finding methods of doing their preferred occupations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to provide practitioners working in low vision rehabilitation with a means for comparing service provision, including assessment, intervention, and program evaluation strategies, across a range of treatment facilities in the United States. Occupational therapy practitioners providing low vision services (N = 34) completed an on- line survey to address: (1) practitioner backgrounds in occupational therapy and low vision, (2) design, type, and location of practice, (3) client diagnoses and demographics, (4) referrals to and from occupational therapy, (5) types of assessments used, (6). types of interventions provided, and (7) follow-up and program evaluation procedures. Descriptive statistics were calculated for all items. Results suggest that practitioners seek adequate continuing education; use a combination of self-designed and standardized assessment procedures, and both remedial and compensatory intervention strategies; frequently refer to other low vision professionals; and provide services primarily to older adults through a medical rehabilitation model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]