# Occupational Participation Among Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic

## TL;DR

This study explores how older adults experienced changes in their daily activities during the pandemic and how they adapted using technology and risk perception.

## Contribution

The study introduces a nuanced understanding of occupational participation in older adults during the pandemic using the Canadian Model of Occupational Participation.

## Key findings

- Older adults experienced complex and layered experiences of loss during the pandemic.
- Technology served as a medium for maintaining occupational participation.
- Risk perception significantly influenced older adults' return to their usual activities.

## Abstract

Background. The COVID-19 pandemic led to abrupt occupational disruption for all people. However, some populations, like older adults, were disproportionately impacted particularly in the earlier waves. Purpose. The purpose of this study was to explore and understand how the occupational participation of community-dwelling older adults was experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic, using the Canadian Model of Occupational Participation (CanMOP) to contextualize findings. Method. Sixty-seven older adults participated in semi-structured interviews from September 2020 to May 2021, 37 of which also participated in a follow-up interview one-year later. Findings. Using reflexive thematic analysis, four themes were generated: (1) experiences of loss are complex and layered for older adults, (2) technology as a medium for occupational participation, (3) risk perception influences return to occupation, and (4) age-related challenges for older adults resuming volunteer work. Conclusion. Increasing frequency and severity of influenza pandemics and other disasters are a global concern, and OTs can use their skillsets to foster participation and expand occupational possibilities for older adults. The CanMOP was a helpful tool to understand the nuances underlying the participation of older adults in this context.