Over the course of writing this blog, I have covered areas of the aging population phenomenon that will impact on occupational therapy practice in New Zealand. As a result, I have come to realise that occupational therapy has a lot to offer the aging population. I think we can rest assured that our profession is safe for a few years yet.
It has been an interesting experience writing this blog. Re-affirming myself with the technology and sourcing pictures and videos as well as the substance of my posts has been immensely enjoyable.
I feel attached to this subject because as a third year occupational therapy student, I will see the evolution of occupational therapy in years to come as it adapts to the aging population. I may even be involved in this adaptation, an exciting prospect.
I have learnt that occupational therapy needs to assert its role with the aging population. This has been acknowledged by Pete Hodgson, a former minister of health, in 2006 at the annual New Zealand Association of Occupational Therapy conference. Pete Hodgson, stated the need for occupational therapists to move towards defining and implementing their future role in population based health, especially with older citizens (Wilcock, 2007).
That means adjusting to working at population and community levels by adopting an upstream, 'health promotion' approach. It also means accommodating the rising number of people that will need intervention for a condition such as dementia by being innovative and holistic in our approach.
Occupational therapy will also need to embrace 'active aging' and become more culturally competent with the wide range of cultures that are becoming more prevalent in New Zealand.
I did not realise how significant the aging population phenomenon was until this year. I also did not have much interest in elder care. That has all changed; as I have learnt more I realise that the aging population will herald significant changes, particularly in healthcare. However, not all are negative and occupational therapy will play a key role in ensuring the ongoing health and wellbeing of older people in New Zealand.
Thank you for taking the time to read my blog. I hope it has been informative and provoked some thought.
Jamie
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