Jill Linder’s scientific contributions

Background: Social isolation during COVID-19 has the capacity to impact older adults’ physical health, mental health, and quality of life. Using an occupational therapy perspective of social participation as an occupation, the current study explores (a) the extent to which social participation (habits/routines) has changed following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, (b) differences in perceptions of social participation in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic, and (c) differences in scores on the COVID-19 Quality of Life (COV19-QoL) scale by demographics, access to health care, and lifestyle routine. Method: Community-dwelling adults (N = 230) 65 years of age or older completed an online survey providing demographic data to identify changes in social participation habits, routines, and perceptions in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic and the COV19-QoL scale. Results: Analyses revealed significant differences in reported routines, perceptions, and COV19-QoL scores across various demographic groups. Conclusion: This study identified a significant shift in social participation and a need for increased consideration of performance skills, education, and improved quality of social opportunities. Limited representation in the sample and the use of novel instruments indicate a need for further study.

The purpose of this study was to explore the unique experiences of older adults amidst the COVID-19 pandemic to further understand the relationship between social participation and quality of life (QOL). Utilizing survey and interview responses from community-dwelling older adults, current evidence, and an occupational therapy perspective, a community-based program was developed for a county health department in Illinois. Termed, “Our Social Network” the program provided community stakeholders with a program manual with recommendations and guidelines for program design, a continuing education video series for training on using the manual, and an online network group. This study and its components were part of an OTD (Doctor of Occupational Therapy) capstone project that is working to facilitate improved prevention and intervention for social isolation and loneliness to support the older adult population within the context of COVID-19. Keywords: older adults, mental health, social isolation, loneliness, COVID-19, occupational therapy

The current study evaluated the relationship between social participation and quality of life (QoL) for older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. Community-dwelling adults (N = 230) age 65 or older completed an online survey providing demographic data to identify changes in lifestyle routine during the pandemic using the COVID-19 Quality of Life (COV19-QoL) scores. Analyses revealed significant differences in reported lifestyle routines in relation to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and significant differences in COV19-QoL scores across various demographic groups. Results demonstrated the close relationship between social participation and QOL, assisted with identifying individuals at increased risk, and indicated potential guidelines for intervention. The sample was primarily limited to individuals willing to use the computer and several of the sample groups had limited representation with less than 5% of the total participant population. The use of novel instruments that relied on self-report also limited study conclusions. Future research is needed to improve interventions for social isolation and loneliness and affirm the value of an occupational therapy (OT) perspective in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Keywords: older adults, social isolation, loneliness, COVID-19, occupational therapy --currently accepted to OJOT--

Abstract This study and its components were part of an OTD (Doctor of Occupational Therapy) capstone project that is working develop a program to address social isolation and loneliness within the older adult population during COVID-19. The current study served as a qualitative follow-up for results from a previous study conducted by the primary researchers. The current study utilized semi-structured, one-on-one interviews with adults age 65 or older to explore experiences of social isolation and loneliness during the pandemic. Data obtained from the qualitative interviews was analyzed using the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO), categorized relative to program objectives, intervention strategies, and program procedures, and then analyzed for themes. Data was triangulated with previous evidence and survey data to provide a foundation of a community-based, occupational therapy-based program for a county health department. Keywords: older adults, mental health, social isolation, loneliness, COVID-19, occupational therapy, MOHO, program development