Author ORCID Identifier

https://orcid.org/0009-0007-6692-4061

Semester

Spring

Date of Graduation

2026

Document Type

Problem/Project Report

Degree Type

OTD

College

School of Medicine

Department

Occupational Therapy

Committee Chair

Richelle Gray

Committee Co-Chair

Taylor Spaw

Committee Member

Kayleigh Nolan

Abstract

Occupational imbalance and a diminished sense of purpose are common challenges faced during middle age and the transition into retirement. These issues can contribute to increased burnout, decreased participation in meaningful activities, and an overall decline in health and well-being. Occupational therapy is well-equipped to address these concerns through comprehensive and holistic, occupation-based wellness programs that promote healthy routines and engagement in meaningful roles. This doctoral capstone project involved developing and implementing two community-based wellness programs tailored to different populations. The first program included self-paced wellness modules for middle-aged adults, aiming to encourage healthy lifestyle habits, enhance coping skills, and support sustainable behavior change through education and encouraged self-reflection. The second program focused on retired individuals through structured, in-person group sessions that emphasized movement, social participation, fall prevention, energy conservation, and purposeful engagement in daily activities. Rooted in occupational therapy principles and informed by evidence-based practices, both programs prioritized self-reflection, occupational balance, and strategies to improve quality of life. These initiatives highlight the important role of occupational therapy in promoting wellness, supporting life transitions, and encouraging ongoing engagement in meaningful occupations within community settings. Results of the retiree sessions revealed that confidence in mindfulness techniques increased by 72% from the pre- to post-surveys, while satisfaction had a slight increase of 4%. For the middle-aged population, throughout all six modules, participants exhibited increases in self-reported confidence and satisfaction. Pre-survey confidence scores had a mean of 3.07 (SD = 1.12, range 1 - 5), indicating moderate baseline variability, while post-survey scores increased to a mean of 3.86 (SD = 1.00, range 1 - 5), reflecting improved confidence with continued moderate variability following the intervention. Occupational therapy practitioners should prioritize incorporating mindfulness techniques and wellness education into their interventions, as these approaches have been shown to improve quality of life and promote successful aging, particularly among middle-aged adults and retirees.

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