In April, I was honored to travel to Philadelphia to present at the American Occupational Therapy Association's (AOTA) Inspire Conference alongside my undergraduate lab from the University of Florida. This momentous experience was filled with learning, connection, and a deep appreciation for the ever-evolving field of occupational therapy.
I presented with my mentor and employer, Dr. Chiung-ju (CJ) Liu, and occupational therapy (OT) practitioners Briana Elson and Jerelyne Idica. Our poster, Promoting Healthy Aging Through Home Health Care, was part of an NIH-funded randomized-controlled trial, Synergizing Home Health Rehabilitation Therapy to Optimize Patients’ Activities of Daily Living. The goal? Establishing a practice guideline for occupational therapy intervention in home health, transforming activities of daily living (ADLs) into an activity-enhanced exercise program.
Our Research & Poster Presentation
Our six-week intervention program is carefully designed to empower patients through two distinct approaches:
- Visits 1 & 2: The Compensatory Approach – Applying six energy conservation techniques to reduce environmental and task demands, making daily activities more manageable.
- Visits 3-6: The Restorative Approach – Using six activity-grading principles to enhance intrinsic capacity, improving patients' ability to participate in ADLs actively.
Patients can better engage in their daily routines by lowering external demands while strengthening intrinsic capacity and successfully age in place. We measured key outcomes at baseline, post-intervention, and one-month follow-ups using AMPs and AMPAC assessments. This project officially concluded in March 2025, and we are now analyzing data and preparing our manuscript for publication.
AOTA Inspire: An Unforgettable Experience
Attending the AOTA Inspire Conference was a truly eye-opening experience. I was inspired by meeting OT students and practitioners from across the country and the world. I loved exchanging ideas and learning from professionals who shared my passion for advancing OT practices.
Some of my favorite moments included engaging in conversations at poster presentation sessions, exploring the exposition hall, which is filled with innovative OT tools and research, and trying out assistive devices shaping the future of occupational therapy.
This journey has been life-changing, and I am extremely thankful for Dr. Liu and Duke Occupational Therapy Doctorate’s support in making this possible. The future of OT is bright, and I can’t wait to continue contributing to meaningful research and practice!