Occupational Therapy with Older People Into the 21st Century

There has been significant societal and global change in recent years with accompanying shifts in how older people are perceived by societies across the world. Different treatment and care possibilities are emerging but concerns about the implications of our longevity also continue to be raised. The value of occupational therapy is greater than ever before, given its work across health and social care boundaries.

Occupational Therapy with Older People Into the 21st Century demonstrates the ways in which occupational therapists can maximise this potential to the benefit of older people. Using best evidence as well as professional and personal perspectives, Mountain explores the realities of later life, ageing in place, the implication of the technological age, meeting needs for rehabilitation, revisiting and valuing the core principles of occupational therapy, and more.

In contrast to other works in this space, Occupational Therapy with Older People Into the 21st Century appraises the totality of interdisciplinary evidence in light of policy and global and national trends, highlighting how evidence generated by other disciplines as well as that created by occupational therapists can be harnessed by the profession.

Gail Anne Mountain is Emeritus Professor at the University of Bradford, UK. She also holds an honorary professorial contract at the University of Sheffield. Gail worked as an occupational therapist for over 13 years before commencing a career in applied research. Her professional background has informed much of her research and specifically that which has involved collaborations with other disciplines such as engineering, design and social science.