Why+Occupational+Therapy?

An area of concern with retirement is that individuals transitioning indicate that there is inadequate, readily available information to support planning for an occupationally meaningful retirement (Hewitt, Howie & Feldman 2010). There are reports stating that participating in pre-retirement courses are the most useful with they occur in a timely manner and address health, financial and leisure matters (Rosenkoetter & Garris, 2009). These programs have been documented to enable and provide the individuals who are preparing to retire and who are retired already to address new interests, social interaction, financial planning, health promotion and leisure opportunities (Hodkinson, Ford, Hodkinson & Hawthorn, 2008). By participating in these types of programs, the individuals will learn how to occupy their time which will likely assist their retirement satisfaction (Rosenkoetter & Garris, 1998). Occupational therapists (OT) can be leaders in addressing the challenges of ageing (Pinquart & Schindler, 2009). OTs can assist this population with the documented difficulties such as role identification, leisure exploration and health wellness. OTs can make a difference because they have the skills to adapt and modify, and identify new leisure opportunities through activity analysis to find out what the individual is good at and what interests are important and possible to achieve. The individuals will be able to find the new meaning in their life and be active engaged members of the retirement world.

The OTs want to assist the retirement population to **DEFINE THEIR GOALS.**  What do you think about retirement? Does it scare you? What are you looking forward to? Do you already have a plan? What do you want to achieve? When do you want to achieve it? The OT can:
 * Perform assessments for health risks and safety
 * Strategies to incorporate healthy habits and routines into daily activities
 * Identify solutions to personal and environmental barriers that limit them from engaging in healthy activities
 * Education about the importance of relaxation and rest to achieve balance between work and leisure.
 * Provide time management and stress management strategies
 * Work simplification and energy conservation techniques
 *  Provide job analysis so the individual does not injure themselves
 * Adopt and maintain healthier behaviors
 * Find new leisure interests to participate in
 * Family roles
 * Provide resources for financial planning ([|health promotion])