Elder Care in Occupational Therapy

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Elder Care in Occupational Therapy has been extensively revised into a new and completely updated second edition. This pragmatic text presents up-to-date information in a user-friendly format that seamlessly flows from one subject to the next. From wellness to hospice, Elder Care in Occupational Therapy, Second Edition offers a broad yet detailed discussion of occupational therapy practice that is devoted to older adults. A wide variety of topics are covered in a concise format, such as historical perspectives, theoretical insights, the aging process, and current interventional strategies, to name a few. Twenty informative appendices are also included that clarify issues such as Medicare coverage, community and clinical living arrangements, client-centered practice, exercise programs, and evidence-based practice. Perfect for the student or clinician, Elder Care in Occupational Therapy, Second Edition provides classic, professional information on theory, disease entities, and intervention in a comprehensive format.

SYNOPSIS

Covering all aspects of occupational therapy practice concerning older adults, this volume presents historical and theoretical perspectives as well as practical discussions on topics like life span changes, mental health, drugs, work settings, documentation, physical disabilities, falls, home health, and driving. Twelve case studies provide concrete illustration of the principles discussed. Annotation (c)2003 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

FROM THE CRITICS

Doody Review Services

Reviewer: John V Fisher, BS (California State University Dominguez Hills)Description: This book provides a brief overview of traditional and emerging areas of occupational therapy intervention for the geriatric population. The book covers general principles of the profession, including research, reimbursement and developing specialty areas.Purpose: According to the author, the book is intended, "to provide a pragmatic and comprehensive text for occupational therapy (OT) and certified occupational therapy assistant (COTA) students." In addition, the author wants to provide a resource for practitioners to access public and private organizations providing information, products, and services related to elder care. These are both worthy objectives. However, most of the information presented here is already contained in books used by most OT and COTA educational programs. The resource indexes also can be quickly accessed using a search program on the Internet. The book does not appear to meet the author's objectives since many chapters provide only one theoretical approach. The chapter on mental health is just three pages long and only introduces a few diagnoses, without addressing how OT intervention is traditionally provided. No case study is provided and the reader is left with the impression that these disorders exist, but there are none of the excellent OT programs that provide intervention.Audience: The book is written primarily for OT and COTA students, but is also intended for practitioners in the field as well as for practitioners interested in (re)entering the field of geriatrics. Ms. Cutler is a very credible authority, withover 19 years of clinical practice and a wealth of experience writing for publication.Features: The book is formatted to take the reader through the care of the elderly. Historical and current demographic information on the elderly is provided which then leads to a review of the multiple settings and roles in which OT treatment may be provided. Many of the major developmental stages commonly identified with the elderly population are addressed with case studies provided to exemplify the theoretical concepts. At the end of the book are 20 appendixes providing resources for agencies, equipment and definitions of areas of practice. The book explores some topics in depth, with references to research articles (i.e., wellness and driving) while only identifying the existence of other practice areas (i.e., mental health and low vision).Assessment: The book seems incomplete. In comparison to Functional Performance in Older Adults, 2nd Edition, by Bonder and Wagner (F.A. Davis, 2001), this book provides incomplete information, often giving the impression that omitted information is nonessential to the field. Finally, as the introduction states, the second edition was produced during the development of the new OT Practice Framework, and therefore could not specifically frame the information using the terminology of the new document.

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