Program Development Reflection

Dementia is a growing global health concern, affecting millions of individuals and their families. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), dementia affects an estimated 50 million people worldwide (WHO, 2023).  Seniors with dementia experience memory decline, difficulty with communication, reduced engagement in activities of daily living, and decreased mental health (Ojagbemi, & Owolabi, 2017). 

Research has shown that Adult Day Centers (ADCs) can address the needs of individuals with dementia and their caregivers through a community-based setting. ADCs are essential in supporting individuals with dementia and their caregivers (Ellen et al., 2017). Such centers offer a safe, structured environment promoting cognitive stimulation, social interaction, and physical activity. Caregivers rely on ADCs for respite, enabling them to take much-needed breaks while ensuring their loved ones receive top-quality care and engagement. ADCs provide a wide range of programs designed specifically for individuals with dementia. 

Addressing the multifaceted needs of seniors with dementia is complex. Numerous studies have shown the importance of interventions improving the quality of life for seniors with dementia by addressing cognitive, physical, and emotional well-being. OTs possess the expertise to design and implement personalized programs tailored to the unique needs and abilities of each senior. The need for OT intervention is supported by a growing body of evidence highlighting the effectiveness of occupation-based programming in Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementia care.  Such programs are essential for promoting healthy aging, enhancing cognitive and physical well-being, and fostering increased independence among the dementia community (Bennett et al., 2019; He et al., 2019; King et al., 2018; Manji & Fallavollita, 2022; Ojagbemi & Owolabi, 2017). 

The E.M.P.O.W.E.R project will play a pivotal role in empowering 1,400 seniors with dementia daily, in the Sonoma, CA community. The E.M.P.O.W.E.R project will enhance Engagement, Memory, Participation, Occupational Wellness, Education, and Respect among CoA seniors and staff. The project will support the addition of occupational therapy consulting services within the context of the Council on Aging (CoA)’s existing Adult Day Program (ADP).  In a 2019 position paper, the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) asserted occupational therapy practitioners’ role in assessing and addressing cognitive deficits, as well as facilitating cognitive functioning to enhance client’s occupational performance, self-efficacy, participation, and perceived quality of life (Giles et al., 2019).  Occupational therapy interventions have also been shown to have “positive effects on physical functioning in persons with dementia…[and] have been recommended as logical first steps in the management of both cognitive and non-cognitive symptoms” in this population (Ojagbemi & Owolabi, 2017, p. 133).  To best support ADP staff and volunteers in their roles as formal caretakers for ADP clients, occupational therapy consultation services will center around education on the value of occupation-based programming, activity grading, fall prevention, and effective communication strategies for older adults with cognitive impairment. The OT consultant will develop evidence-based educational materials on these topics and deliver them to ADP staff and volunteers through periodic professional development workshops. 

The OT consultant will also contribute to program development to promote the growth and overall sustainability of the ADP. Program development activities will include conducting a formal program evaluation to assess the impact and effectiveness of OT consultation services, as well as supporting ADP administrators in exploring additional funding sources and reimbursement mechanisms. The OT consultant may also assist ADP staff with community outreach and networking with local healthcare organizations to promote greater awareness of the program and explore potential partnerships for new funding.

Council on Aging Grant Proposal Application to Bethelem Foundation 

The greatest challenge that I faced throughout the program development process was understanding the chronological order of the entire process.  As someone inherently inclined towards task-oriented approaches, I encountered difficulty in resisting the urge to immediately delve into pilot development.  One of my challenges surrounded reframing my mindset to prioritize engaging in the sequential flow of the program development process by first conducting a thoughtful and comprehensive needs assessment. Through this process, I understood the importance of engaging in a needs assessment before engaging in the pilot and program development phases.  Additionally, I found it challenging to grasp the concept of "pitching the need".  Adapting to the concept of "pitching the need" posed another significant challenge. I had to reframe my perspective from an academic presentation style to a more persuasive, pitch-oriented mindset.

Through this process, I discovered that the grant application process proved to be one of the most challenging skills to develop. The extensive depth of the grant application process, along with its multifaceted components was unexpected, but also proved to be a rewarding process and a skill that I am excited to possess.

Throughout this process, I developed numerous skills such as developing a pitch to funders, grant applications, and program development. I now understand the chronological order of the process and how each aspect of the process influences and contributes to the other. Before this course, I had not engaged in program development and while extremely challenging, the process has been rewarding. Through this course, I gained an understanding of the development of a community-based, occupation-centered program for specific populations such as seniors with dementia in Sonoma County. I gained the ability to produce a needs assessment to identify the occupational needs of the Council on Aging adult day program members and staff. I now understand and have gained knowledge on how to engage in program planning, program implementation, budgeting, consultation and program evaluation, marketing, and funding needs for specific organizations. As I enter into the profession of OT as a new graduate, I will take with me the skills gained through the program development course. Such skills will allow me to be a more well-rounded occupational therapist to my future clients and community.