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By now it is clear that aging is a complex set of processes that occur within complex biological, environmental, and sociopolitical contexts. How older adults spend their time and what is meaningful to them occurs in equally dynamic systems and is individually determined. To this end, Part I introduced multiple contexts for aging. Part II followed with a discussion of body structures and body functions in aging.
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As the number of older adults across the globe increases, healthy aging—the development and maintenance of functional abilities that enable well-being in older age—continues to be a priority (World Health Organization [WHO], 2020). Occupational therapy is uniquely positioned to promote healthy aging by facilitating occupational engagement and participation in those activities that individuals, families, and communities need and want to do. Through a lens that understands both the broader and individual experiences of aging, occupational therapists can partner with older adults and their caregivers to address occupational needs in client-centered and inclusive ways.
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This part of the text explores important occupations in detail. The way occupations are enacted and interact for any one person is unique. Some individuals may prefer to receive help with self-care or homemaking occupations so that they have more energy for meaningful leisure or work occupations. Others may retain a fierce sense of independence about taking care of their basic needs. Of course, in addressing these preferences, consideration of context, personal priorities, and cultural meaning, among other factors is vital.
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A new addition to the fifth edition of this book is the expansion of discussions about home management, health management, and sleep through inclusion of new chapters. Ensuring that caregivers and their needs are integrated into occupational therapy care is essential as well. Thus, the perspective of caregivers and how occupational therapy can support their needs is presented as a new chapter. Areas such as self-care, leisure, work, retirement, community mobility, and driving are also addressed in this part.