The contribution of occupational therapy to the work-to-retirement transition process in Australia: a review of the literature (original) (raw)
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Australian occupational therapy journal, 2016
Retirement from paid work is an occupational transition, which can have a profound impact on a person's life. This review explored occupational therapy's contribution to and involvement in the work-to-retirement transition process in Australia. An integrative literature review was undertaken using seven article repository databases. PRISMA guidelines informed searches. Articles were included if participants were Australian; researchers' discussed retirement from an occupational perspective or the scope of practice of occupational therapists; and publication was from 1994 to June 2015 in a peer-reviewed journal. Articles were critically appraised and thematic analysis explored: (i) occupational perspective, (ii) occupational therapy scope of practice, (iii) theory and (iv) retirement definitions. Eight articles met the review criteria. Three occupational perspective themes were identified: retirement intention influences, retirement preparation and retirement roles and ac...
Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 2020
Background: Occupational therapists have skills to work with people considering or experiencing the transition from paid work to retirement. Aim: The aims were to explore: (1) occupational therapists' experiences and perceptions in working with people transitioning to retirement; (2) current scope of practice of occupational therapy in the work-to-retirement transition; and (3) factors influencing current scope of practice of occupational therapy in the work-to-retirement transition. Methods: Qualitative semi-structured interviews with Australian occupational therapists were thematically analysed. Results: Fourteen Australian occupational therapists were interviewed. Three overarching themes (12 sub themes) emerged: (1) occupational therapists' application of a contemporary occupational paradigm; (2) current approaches adopted by occupational therapists are add on, stylistic and talk based; and (3) contextual challenges and opportunities encountered by occupational therapists. Conclusion/significance: Occupational therapists use enablement skills (e.g. coach; collaborate) and consider various professional reasons (e.g. engagement in meaningful occupation; health responsibility) when addressing the transition from work to retirement. Overcoming barriers to service provision (e.g. funding; lack of role clarity) will facilitate a more comprehensive service provision to enable health and well-being of older adults.
BACKGROUND: Work experiences have the potential to influence retirement. Occupational therapists' understanding of the importance of engagement in occupation for active healthy ageing places them in a position to facilitate the work-to-retirement transition. OBJECTIVE: To describe the experience of work from retirees' perspectives to understand the influence of work on retirement and to discuss the role of occupational therapy in the work-to-retirement transition. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews with retirees were utilised. Thematic analysis identified themes and categories in relation to the experience of work. Categories were related to the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO). RESULTS: Eleven retirees were interviewed. Twelve categories relating to the experience of work were identified and were captured under three over-arching themes: Varied experiences and motivators; Intersection of work and life; and Impact of context. Categories collectively covered all MOHO concepts. Questions to guide therapeutic reasoning were developed to assist putting MOHO theory in to practice. CONCLUSIONS: Working experiences can be an influencing factor on retirement life. Occupational therapy could enable active healthy ageing through understanding the experience of work and how this can assist older workers to remain in the workforce, find a balance between work and other areas of life, and to choose retirement activities.
The influence of work on the transition to retirement: A qualitative study
British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 2018
Introduction Retirement from work is a complex process, with work influencing this transition. Occupational therapists can facilitate a meaningful occupational transition to retirement for better health and wellbeing in later life. This article explores (1) how work attributes influence and relate to the work-to-retirement transition stages, (2) the relationship of findings to the Model of Human Occupation volitional processes and (3) the potential occupational therapy role. Method Semi-structured interviews were completed with retirees. In this qualitative study, themes were identified in relation to the work-to-retirement transition stages using thematic analysis with findings related to the Model of Human Occupation volitional processes. Findings Eleven Australian participants (five females, six males) were recruited. Themes and sub-themes were identified within each stage of the work-to-retirement transition and collectively encapsulated all volitional processes. Themes were tim...
The Concept of Occupational Balance Following Retirement: a Scoping Review
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2021
Occupational balance is vital to health and well-being in reducing the stereotypical negative impacts of retirement. A scoping review was done in seven databases (CINAHL, MEDLINE, Informit, Scopus, EBSCO Open Dissertations, Cochrane Library and PsycINFO) that included English, full-text published article, review, thesis or concept analysis that used "work-life balance" or "occupational balance" or "life balance" and "occupational therapy" or "retirement" in the abstract, keywords or title, which provide relevant highlight on occupational balance in occupational therapy or following retirement, published between 2000 and 2020. Fourteen articles met the inclusion criteria establishing five themes: occupational balance as an evolving concept; defining occupational balance; measures of occupational balance; perspectives in occupational balance; the paradigm of balance following retirement. This scoping review highlights the need to explain occupational balance complex nature emphasised the gap for a specific occupational balance concept and its impacts on retirees.
Employee perspectives: Exploring the journey from paid work to retirement due onset of a dementia
2017
Historically occupational therapy has evidenced a tenacity to adjust and adapt to societal changes. Currently in Australia we are in the midst of significant change in health, disability and aged care service delivery alongside increasing numbers of new graduates seeking employment. Both of these changes create challenges and opportunities for the profession. How the profession adjusts to new service delivery models and supports new graduates in this changing work environment will influence our future. Using examples from practice I will explore the conference themes of partnership, inclusion and innovation to highlight what these themes can look like and what is required for them to be effective. Doing effective partnership takes time, energy and a shared commitment of all involved and often requires negotiations and compromise. Inclusion can be tricky and requires vigilance and ongoing reflection on actions to determine if the outcomes are what was intended. Innovation can play two roles; it can be used to conserve current practice in new ways or it can offer agency to disrupt and redefine practice. The way in which the profession chooses to enact partnerships and inclusion will play a vital role in shaping the future. Similarly the space and support made for conservative or disruptive innovation will determine how we choose to define ourselves going forward. Moreover, these choices and actions will govern how effective we are in navigating the changing environment and supporting new graduates transitioning into the profession.
2021
Background: Staff who are employed in residential aged care settings face a unique set of challenges and stressors in their workplaces which intensify their risks of occupational stress and burnout. Staff also experience low job satisfaction, increased sick time and absenteeism and high job turnover rates as a result of occupational burnout. As the population ages, there is an increased need for residential aged care (RAC) staff in Australia. It is both urgent and necessary to explore interventions that can prevent the likelihood of occupational burnout on RAC staff. A systematic review will be conducted on the effectiveness of interventions for preventing occupational burnout in RAC staff, with a view to determine the most effective type or types of intervention for such staff.Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of interventions compared to inactive control intervention (usual care or practice) for preventing occupational burnout in RAC staff. Methods: This protocol was develo...
Occupational therapy: Still at work
Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 1988
Many occupational therapists are moving into the field of occupational health and safety. This move is a reflection of the political and economic climate of Australia as well as the changing legislation related to occupational health. Only New South Wales legislation will, however, be examined in this instance. Occupational therapy's move from a medical model to a holistic conceptual basis has also resulted in an increased awareness of primary prevention strategies and health promotion. The workplace-based strategies which occupational therapists can offer the corporate sector are many and varied and reflect the unique contribution to be made by the profession to occupational health and safety.