Assistant Professor University of Texas Medical Branch Houston, Texas, United States
Research Objectives: To examine the efficacy of an occupation-based wellness program aimed at improving personal health management for people living with chronic HIV (PLWH).
Design: Using a survey design, the PI examined self-perceptions of the eight dimensions of wellness before and after the implementation of an 8-week wellness program.
Setting: This study/program occurred at a day habilitation program for PLWH in Houston, Texas.
Participants: Study/program participants were PLWH, primarily people of color, aged 50 and over who were living with one or more chronic diseases. All were participants in a non-profit community-based day habilitation program.
Interventions: Participants consented to participate in an 8-week total wellness program aimed at enhancing self-efficacy with managing HIV, personal health, activities of daily living (ADLs), and instruments activities of daily living (IADLs,). Thirteen participants completed a pre-test using wellness survey based on the eight dimensions of wellness. Next, participants were guided through an 8-week, 90-minute wellness program addressing the 8 dimensions of wellness along with the common physical, mental, and social issues associated with living with HIV facilitated by an OT. Each session concluded with homework to facilitate carryover of knowledge. Participants completed the posttest at the end of the program.
Main Outcome Measures: Wellness Survey using the 8 Dimensions of wellness
Results: PLWH who completed the program reported positive changes in at least 7 out of 8 dimensions of wellness.
Conclusions: Applying the 8 dimensions of wellness to facilitate chronic disease management and successful aging in PLWH can facilitate positive health behavior changes and maintenance. OTs can facilitate enhanced performance capacity empowering clients to be accountable for their own personal wellness. Community-based wellness programs can facilitate better health outcomes for clients who do not have access to traditional OT.
Author(s) Disclosures: I have no conflicts of interest to declare at this time.
Learning Objectives:
Upon completion, participant will be able to identify the 8 dimensions of wellness as applied to people living with chronic HIV
Upon completion, participant will be able to recognize the scope of occupational therapists in offering chronic disease management techniques to people living with HIV and other chronic conditions.
Upon completion, participant will be able to understand how total wellness programming can facilitate people living with HIV to successfully age in place.
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