Occupational therapy practice in Australia with people with dementia: A profile in need of change

Background/aim: Dementia significantly impacts on the individual's and caregiver's quality of life. The aim of this study was to describe Australian occupational therapy practice with people with dementia. Methods: A questionnaire was piloted and sent to occupational therapists in Australia working with people with dementia. Participants were recruited in one of three ways: (i) identified by OT AUSTRALIA as working in aged care; (ii) through dementia-specific facilities in Australia; or (iii) through occupational therapy aged care list serves. The questionnaire asked occupational therapists about referrals received, assessments and interventions used, perceived barriers to the delivery of interventions and perceived educational needs. Data were analysed descriptively and presented as frequencies and percentages. Results: One hundred and thirty-four occupational therapists responded to this survey. Referrals were predominantly for environmental modification, home assessment or falls prevention and for assessment of activities of daily living. Therapists spent most of their time on assessment, with brief cognitive and functional assessments used most frequently. The most common interventions were environmental modification advice and prescription of assistive equipment. Lack of time was the most commonly reported barrier to the delivery of interventions with therapists also identifying concerns about staffing and role restrictions imposed by organisations. Therapists also identified that further training in this area would be useful. Conclusions: Therapists working in dementia care indicated that they are constrained in terms of time, staffing and organisational restrictions. Recommendations include enhanced training, further research into the most viable occupational therapy interventions, and advocating for improved funding, staffing and resources.