Objective: To examine published qualitative studies that can inform occupational therapists about potential intervention targets to improve health outcomes in homeless communities. Methods: A search was conducted for pertinent studies in the following databases: PubMed, Ovid, and CINAHL. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed to extract relevant data. Only research published after 2011 in English-language peer-reviewed journals was included. Twelve of the 1,162 identified articles satisfied the requirements for inclusion. Results: Individuals experiencing homelessness had higher levels of food insecurity, mental health conditions, and inadequate management of chronic conditions than those with a stable residence, all of which were successfully treated through occupational therapy. Conclusion: The scope of practice of occupational therapists allows for holistic treatment approaches to address the biopsychosocial health of homeless individuals at all levels of need and suggests that occupational therapy intervention initiatives are appropriate to address occupational justice for this population

Background: Ageism is recognized as a concern in the context of a rapidly aging population. Current literature acknowledges the outcomes of ageism toward older adults, however there has been little focus on the reciprocal effect toward young people. Programs geared at reducing ageism toward older adults show positive outcomes for both generations. This review explored the importance of intergenerational relationships and assessed the effectiveness of intergenerational programs on decreasing ageism toward young people. Method: A comprehensive database search was conducted to identify eligible studies published between 1989 and 2019. To be considered for final inclusion, studies had to implement an intergenerational program with outcome measures specifically addressing older adults’ attitudes toward young people. Results: Of the 4,661 articles retrieved, 12 studies were included with 1,570 participants. The specific intergenerational interventions differed, but commonalities included extended contact, community-based activities, and mentorship. Eleven of the twelve articles yielded statistically significant effects in reducing ageism toward young people. Evaluation of program outcomes resulted in four themes. Conclusion: Moderate evidence supports the effectiveness of intergenerational programs on reducing ageism toward young people. These results describe the literature and support the reciprocal effectiveness of these programs. Occupational therapists can be instrumental in promoting reduced ageism across the lifespan.

This systematic review examines the efficacy of non-medical interventions, yoga, social support groups, and kangaroo care, on women who experience Postpartum Depression(PPD) to determine the utility for use in occupational therapy intervention. Benefits of these non-medical interventions included decreased depressive symptoms and improved mood postpartum. A systematic review of the literature was conducted to understand the benefits of non-medical interventions for perinatal clients. Search engines included CINAHL, Cochrane Library, PubMed, and Scopus. Initial searches yielded 110 articles based on specified search terms. After screening with inclusion and exclusion criteria, 13 articles were selected. Strong evidence supports the use of yoga in reducing symptoms of PPD. Moderate evidence supports the use of social support groups and kangaroo care as effective interventions in reducing PPD symptoms.