National Positive Ageing Analysis

‘In 1991, the UN General Assembly adopted the UN Principles for Older Persons. These Principles address the independence, participation, care, self-fulfilment and dignity of older people. In adopting these Principles, the UN urged governments to incorporate them into their national programmes whenever possible’. (INPAS, 2013)

Using the UN principles as a guideline, four national goals have been decided upon to try and improve key aspects of the lives of older people in Ireland. These goals are outlined in the Irish National Positive Ageing Strategy 2013.

In this essay I will be discussing how occupational therapists can apply the goals set out in the National Positive Ageing Strategy to their occupational roles with older adults. I will begin

Dignity: Older adults should feel secure and not be fearful of exploitation physical or mental abuse and discrimination.

Having outlined the principles that the goals are based on I will now discuss the goals and their relevance to occupational therapy practice.

National Goal 1: Remove barriers to participation and provide more opportunities for the continued involvement of people as they age in all aspects of cultural, economic and social life in their communities according to their needs, preferences and capacities.

It is the first goal I think that has the most importance to the occupational therapy role in working with older adults. Occupational therapists can create opportunities for people by promoting active ageing within the ageing society. They can promote things like part time employment, further education, involvement in the community, volunteering and exploring interests.

As well as promoting these things, OT’s have a role in removing the barriers to these activities. The occupational therapist must take into consideration accessibility to a venue, is it available, affordable and does the person live in a rural or urban

It is important to people of an older age to remain independent and comfortable in their own homes for as long as possible. Occupational therapists can provide recommendations for the house to enable this, after careful history taking and assessment.

As people age they can acquire mobility limitations. Physical adaptations to the house, such as one- storey living, widening of doors (to allow for walking aids to get through), no-step entries and addition of grab bars are all possible adaptations to the living spaces of older adults. Occupational therapists have a key role in identifying the needs for these and ensuring they are beneficial to the client.

Occupational therapists can cater for home needs of a range of acquired illnesses associated with aging. For dementia patients the therapist can install grab bars, door security systems and a securing system for potentially hazardous items such as cleaning supplies and medication.

They can provide increased lighting, colour contrast schemes, enlarged print materials and visual aids for older adults with eyesight