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Staying or Moving? Occupational Therapy’s Role in Later-Life Housing Decisions
By: Chia-Wei Fan, PhD, OTR/L Many older adults hope to remain in their homes for as long as possible. Home is often tied to identity, familiar routines, and a sense of control. Because of this attachment, the decision to leave home can be emotionally complex, even when a move may offer increased safety or support (Lebrusán & Gómez,…
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Promoting Sexual Health and Intimacy in Older Adults: Are We Doing Enough?
By: Morgan Golcekar, MPH, OTAS Sexual health and intimacy are often treated as concerns for younger adulthood, yet they remain central to well-being, identity, relationships, and quality of life across the lifespan. In health care and rehabilitation settings, however, these topics are frequently ignored, minimized, or avoided. For occupational therapy practitioners, this raises an important…
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Current Technology for Older Adults
By: Pei-Fen Chang, PhD, OTR & Amber Brown, OT Student In 2026, the concept of “aging” has been transformed by the technology revolution. We no longer just focus on medical technologies for older adults; we focus on Gerontechnology—a field that blends gerontology (the study of aging) with technology to ensure older adults don’t just “get…
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Social Isolation, Loneliness, and Solitude
By: Graham Teaford, OTD, OTR/L, SCLV There has long been concern among occupational therapy practitioners about the risk and potential harm of social isolation and loneliness among older adults. There are good reasons for this emphasis. The issue is widespread, with some estimates suggesting that nearly a quarter of older adults living in the community…
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LGBTQIA2S+ Aging and Occupational Therapy: Widening Our Lens, Expanding Access
By: Leanne Quakenbush, OTR/L Compared with cisgender, heterosexual peers, the LGBTQIA2S+ community experiences higher rates of health and social disparities. Occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs), with our holistic lens and scope of practice, are uniquely qualified to meet the needs of this community. To provide effective care, we need to examine our implicit biases, continue learning…
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Reimagining Retirement: How OT Helps Redefine Purpose & Occupational Identity
By: Morgan Golceker, MPH, OTAS, and Pooja A. Patel, DrOT, OTR/L, BCG Retirement is often framed as a finish line: paid work ends, leisure begins, and free time abounds. For many, however, retirement is a major occupational transition that can reshape routines, roles, and purpose. Because occupational therapy focuses on meaningful occupation and participation, it…
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Everyone Has a Place at the Table: Inclusive Holiday Gatherings Across All Ages and Abilities
By: Amber Brown, OTS, and Morgan Golceker, MPH, OTAS For many families, the holiday season can be a time of joy, connection, and tradition. Many of us look forward to shared meals, conversation with loved ones, and travel to see family. Yet for individuals who have physical, communication, or mobility challenges, these annual traditions can…
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Cultivating a Growth Mindset: Why Productive Aging Isn’t Just About Activity but Attitude
By: Kyle O’Brien, PhD, DHSc, MSOT, MSW, OTR/L, LCSW When we think about productive aging in occupational therapy, we often focus on maintaining independence in activities of daily living, preventing falls, or adapting environments. But what if the most powerful intervention isn’t a piece of adaptive equipment or an exercise protocol, but instead is how…
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Welcome to the Productive Aging SIS: A Collaborative Force for Empowering Older Adults
Welcome to the Productive Aging Special Interest Section (PASIS)! We’re thrilled to introduce you to the diverse and passionate group of individuals who make up our team. United by a common goal of promoting health, independence, and meaningful engagement throughout the aging process, our members bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the table.…