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Research Article  |   March 2002
Functional Outcomes and Daily Life Activities of African-American Elders After Hospitalization
Jean Spencer; Gayle Hersch; Margarette Shelton; Joanne Ripple; Cheryl Spencer; Carmel B. Dyer; Kathleen Murphy
Author Affiliations
  • Jean Spencer, PhD, OTR, FAOTA, is Professor, School of Occupational Therapy, Texas Woman’s University, 1130 John Freeman Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77030
  • Gayle Hersch, PhD, OTR, is Associate Professor, School of Occupational Therapy, Texas Woman’s University, Houston, Texas
  • Margarette Shelton, PhD, OTR, Joanne Ripple, MOT, OTR, and Cheryl Spencer, MOT, OTR, are Former Students, School of Occupational Therapy, Texas Woman’s University, Houston, Texas
  • Carmel B. Dyer, MD, is Geriatric Program Director, Harris County Hospital District, and Associate Professor, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
  • Kathleen Murphy, RN, PhD, is former Geriatric Program Research Coordinator, Harris County Hospital District, Houston, Texas
Article Information
Geriatrics/Productive Aging / Rehabilitation, Participation, and Disability / Diversity and Occupational Therapy
Research Article   |   March 2002
Functional Outcomes and Daily Life Activities of African-American Elders After Hospitalization
American Journal of Occupational Therapy, March/April 2002, Vol. 56, 149-159. doi:10.5014/ajot.56.2.149
American Journal of Occupational Therapy, March/April 2002, Vol. 56, 149-159. doi:10.5014/ajot.56.2.149
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Abstract

OBJECTIVE. African-American elders were recruited from a transitional unit after hospitalization and tracked for 6 months in the community after discharge to (a) examine functional outcomes on the unit and in the community and (b) identify patterns of participation in daily life activities. The International Classification of Impairments, Disabilities, and Handicaps (ICIDH-2) framework provided the structure to examine the connections among body systems, functional outcomes, and social participation for this population that has been underrepresented in past research.

METHOD. A mixed design combined qualitative and quantitative methods, including qualitative interviews to document personal adaptive experience, a standardized functional assessment to identify functional outcomes, and a structured format to record activity participation.

RESULTS. Findings revealed that 11 of the 17 participants improved their functional outcomes after discharge. Three patterns of activity participation identified were self-care, self-care and household management, and mixed activities. Contextual influences were diverse family support arrangements.

CONCLUSION. Complex relationships were identified among body systems, functional outcomes, and daily life activities that were influenced by individual values and support arrangements.