Abstract
This research finding indicates the necessity to provide OT health management intervention trainings specific to the growing number of aging adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to promote improved quality of life, well-being, and subsequent reduced medical costs.
Primary Author and Speaker: Margaret M. Grill
Contributing Authors: Nicholas Brown, Tracy Choy, Kate Frankiewicz, Sofia Zarnowiecki
The purpose of this project was to determine how implementation of a six-session health management OT intervention training program for staff serving aging adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) would improve staff’s knowledge and comprehension of autonomous health management occupations and impact on resident’s quality of life. This research sought to support the advancement of the occupation, health management, as it relates to community practice. Additionally, this study sought to address gaps in literature relative to aging adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and improved health initiative outcomes. This mixed methods study recruited staff serving aging adults with identified moderate intellectual and/or developmental disabilities(I/DD), ranging in age from twenty-three to sixty-four years residing in a residential community group home affiliated with a faith-based organization. A Qualtrics software survey, consisting of demographic, multiple choice, open-ended, and Likert scale questions, was administered to employed staff who were recruited through convenience sampling. A pretest questionnaire was administered to staff prior to the beginning of the training and a post-test was re-administered after the training. Questionnaire results intended to assess the impact of sessions on the staff’s gained knowledge of health management strategies and promotion. Four staff participants reported increased confidence levels in educating, supporting, leading, and creating health management practices. Pre-survey to post survey adequate knowledge of health management increased between 34% and 67% and adequate knowledge to educate increased between 34% to 67%. Thematic analysis of data: Improved Understanding of Health Management, Satisfaction with Trainings, Improved Incorporation Health Management in Daily Routines. Future research is needed to investigate the efficacy of staff health management OT training.
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