Appendix A: Answers to Critical Thinking Questions

INTRODUCTION

Chapter authors have provided answers to the critical thinking questions in each chapter, along with locations of where to find the answers in the chapter, and the related chapter learning objective (LO). Many of these questions have additional answers that could be generated from class discussion, or other in-class learning activities such as evidence searches.

CHAPTER 1

1. A healthcare provider’s negative expectations of performance and limited patience in ensuring the older adult is fully informed could lead to inability of the older adult to act on information they were given, leading to a downward spiral of poor health decisions, health, and well-being.

   (LO 1-2; LO 1-4; Subsections on Health Literacy and Attitudes)

2. Age-friendly environments: Address neighborhood safety at a community and population level; provide home safety assessment and affordable technologies.

3. Combatting ageism: Advocate for services for older adults in their care setting.

4. Integrated care: Maintain excellence in skills and best practices to provide effective therapy.

5. Long-term care: Ensure clients receive the full continuum of care through the end of life by providing occupation-centered, relevant therapy.

   (LO 1-6; Social and Occupational Justice section; subheader – UN Decade of Healthy Aging)

CHAPTER 2

1. The therapist would complete an occupational profile and assess the new resident’s occupational history and desire for continuity in meaningful occupations. (Occupation and Home section, LO 2-7)

2. Spirituality and religion encourage both a feeling of connection and a sense of the presence of something greater than the self. A wide array of occupations reflect spirituality and support these occupations. Attending religious services, observing religious customs at home, and community with nature are examples of such occupations. (Spirituality and Religion as Contributors to Existential Meaning, LO 2-4)

3. Ability to complete self-care can contribute to perceived self-efficacy and independence. For some, these may be highly valued outcomes. Others, however, might find such activities to be routine and not particularly fulfilling. These individuals might prefer to get help with such activities and save their energy for other activities that matter more to them. (Themes of Meaning, LO 2-3)

4. As an example, holding a job for pay involves doing of the job content, which can satisfy the need to accomplish something useful. It involves being in providing a role or title that can support self-identity. It can involve becoming, as it allows for new challenges and increasing competence. It supports belonging in allowing the worker to feel like part of the team. (Occupation, Cooccupation, and Meaning section, LO 2-2)

CHAPTER 3

1. Numerous theories in this chapter, such as the Situational Model of Care, implement comprehensive approaches to understanding the aging process. Ideally, those that include biological/person, environmental, social, and occupational elements are most appropriate for guiding occupational therapy practice. (LO 3-1)

2. Theories provide a frame of reference or a way to guide thinking of the therapist. Many times, therapists ...