The objective of this study was to examine the relation between activities of daily living (ADL) ability and age among well people between three and 93 years of age. The study is one of descriptive comparison in design. Existing data from the international Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS) database were examined. The participants constituted a sample of 4398 persons who met the inclusionary criteria. All participants were evaluated using the Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS). The results showed that ADL ability increased sharply from 3 to 6 years and continued to improve beyond six until 15 years. After age 15 years, ADL performance ability plateaued until age 50 where it began to gradually decline through to the end of the age range studied. This research has implications for the practice of occupational therapy in determining the need for service and establishing goals based on the identification of people whose ADL performances are below age expectations. ADL ability, assessment of motor and process skills, development, lifespan. K E Y W O R D S

This study examined the effectiveness of short-term, home-based occupational therapy guided by the Occupational Therapy Intervention Process Model for improving activities of daily living [ADL] with eight frail, older adults living in assistive living. A multi-method research approach was utilized to collect both quantitative and descriptive, qualitative data in the form of a retrospective examination of the participants' clinical records. The quantitative component was a within-subjects, repeated-measures analysis of participants' Assessment of Motor and Process Skills [AMPS] ADL motor and ADL process ability measures that revealed statistically significant improvement in ADL motor, but not ADL process abilities. The qualitative component was a content analysis of the clinical records. ADL baselines, goals, interventions and outcomes documented were analyzed. Improvement was noted in 77% of the written ADL goals. Results are discussed and recommendations were given for future research and documentation to improve the profession's ability to support evidence-based practice.

No abstract

Results support the utility of the PPR Profile to promote users' awareness of their occupations and related subjective experiences. This awareness may encourage positive change. Further research is recommended to continue to evaluate the PPR Profile's clinical utility.

No abstract