My experience as an occupational therapist has been in multiple healthcare settings but recently, I have been intrigued on the relevance of providing occupational therapy services in primary healthcare settings. A local hospital in the Great Lakes Bay region has created the first senior emergency care center to meet the specific needs of older clients and I believe that a Level II fieldwork experience for occupational therapy students is warranted. Currently, the senior emergency care center consists of a pharmacist, social worker, nurses and board-certified emergency care physicians. Level II fieldwork students are the perfect addition to senior emergency services due tot heir focus on improving occupational dysfunction so older adults can fulfill life roles. With my extensive experience in gerontology and desire to assist older adults to successfully age in place, I want occupational therapy students to have a fieldwork experience in this emerging niche. My capstone project is a program proposal to create a Level II fieldwork experience in senior emergency care.
