Integrating Choice into the Leisure Routines of Older Adults with Severe Disabilities

Abstract

This investigation examined a means of evaluating and increasing leisure choices within a senior program for older adults with severe disabilities. An observation system was developed to measure the frequency and content of leisure choice opportunities as well as the manner in which each of 3 participants made choices. A process including both staff training and management components was implemented with direct support staff from the senior program. The process initially involved training staff to provide choice opportunities in accordance with participants' choice-making skills. Following training, staff received spoken and written feedback regarding the number and type of choice opportunities provided by staff as well as the number of choices made by participants. The choice provision program was accompanied by an increase in the number, and to a lessor degree the diversity, of choice opportunities provided by staff as well as an increase in the number of choices made by each participant. Results suggested that the increase in choices made by 2 participants was not only due to an increase in choice opportunity but also potentially to an improvement in choice-making skill. Results are discussed regarding the continued need to evaluate procedures for extending research advances pertaining to quality of life into routine practice in agencies providing supports for older adults with severe disabilities.

Keywords

aging choice making leisure quality of life recreation staff

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