Date of Award

4-2024

Degree Type

Capstone Project

Degree Name

Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)

Department

Occupational Therapy

First Advisor

Beth Strait

Second Advisor

Holly Grieves

Abstract

Recollection-based occupational therapy is a nonpharmacological approach to dementia, involving five categories of activities: horticultural, physical, art, musical, and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs). The purpose of this approach is to incorporate memories of a person’s childhood, adulthood, and older adulthood before dementia in activities. Furthermore, the Grand Rapids Catholic Dominican sisters at Aquinata Hall needed a method to gather psychosocial history on their residents as well as new activity programming on the dementia- care unit that had meaningful purpose. Therefore, during this capstone experience, a psychosocial history assessment was created and conducted with the sisters. Using the results of the assessment, activities were created based on the life experiences and favorite activities found, while incorporating meaningful occupations. These activities were conducted on the dementia unit resulting in greater activity engagement from the resident sisters. Even though many of the participants receive assistance for ADLs and IADLs during daily life, the activities in this program aid in maintaining some physical independence and aim to stimulate cognition, which are both core components of occupational therapy.

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