In recent years, measures to support clients in local communities have been promoted in Japan. In particular, the role of occupational therapy in the mental health welfare field is entering a major turning point. In this paper, I propose some points of the therapeutic relationship of occupational therapists and the concept of connecting the knowledge of occupational science to occupational therapy practice, while suggesting a position that occupational therapists embody rehabilitation thought.

View full abstract

Societies everywhere grapple to transform or reduce social problems. Aging populations in Japan, Canada, and many other nations are often viewed as a social problem, even as countries seek opportunities for older people to live well in age-friendly and disability-friendly communities. An occupational lens is a unique conceptual gift with a largely individualistic perspective, offering new insights on daily life issues, for instance to understand those searching for meaningful occupations to the end of life. A critical occupational lens enriches this gift with social perspectives on the power relations that determine how occupational justice, occupational injustice and human rights are (and are not) experienced in real life. My first aim in this paper is to differentiate the scope of an occupational lens and a critical occupational lens to see just iceand rights, considering the example of Japan’ saging population. My other aim is to briefly consider the utility (usefulness) of this scope for interdisciplinary research, particularly for studying occupational literacy as a foundation for understanding, telling others, and displaying occupational justice and rights, and for studying the social transformations necessary for moving toward an occupationally just world for aging populations in Japan and worldwide.

View full abstract

Although it is thought that people’s interrelationships in local communities have been weakening in recent years, they are still expected to play an important social role. In modern society, where communities are facing complex and diverse challenges, the establishment of comprehensive support systems is required. Also, community residents are expected to play a role in civic development, through mutual cooperation centered on ‘small’ (local communication) bases. Such small bases are now highly valued as providing a ‘space’ in which to discuss local issues, and from which to expand residents’ civic initiatives. In this paper, we examine the potential for community development based on people’s interaction, focusing on the ‘community cafe’ as a local communication base. We found that such cafes function as spaces for local residents to appreciate the human diversity of their community through social interaction. In addition, community cafes would appear to have the potential to function as bases for the establishment not only of networks of community cafe users, but of broader social relationships beyond the cafe-goers, including community residents and local organizations.

View full abstract

The present study examined older adults who participated in a dementia prevention class to confirm the effects on health-related quality of life and cognitive function enhancement of a program focused on highly individualized occupations that participants want to try. Participants were 15 older adults who participated in a dementia prevention program supervised by a local government that allowed them to execute occupations they want to try, and were observed over the course of 5 monthly program sessions. Each program session included the following six processes implemented both as a group and individually: 1) a lecture on occupations to deepen understanding of dementia prevention; 2) documentation of occupational history; 3) listing occupations that define oneself; 4) listing and choosing an occupation to try; 5) actualization of occupations participants will try; and 6) implementing and reporting on the occupation. Outcome indicators were the Short Form 36-Item Health Survey (SF-36) and the digit cancellation test (D-CAT). Furthermore, participants who found occupations they want to try were interviewed to gain their subjective opinions. The ten participants who were consequently able to try occupations exhibited significant improvements in their SF-36 scores for general health perceptions, vitality, and mental health. In regard to attentional function, their scores for selective and sustained attention also showed significant increases after the interventions. Tried occupations consisted primarily of production activities, and many participants who tried a new occupation gave positive feedback. The engagement of elderly individuals in their occupation of interest leads to a positive perception of changes in the occupation itself, improves subjective health status and attentional function, and will most likely contribute to maintaining good health.

View full abstract

It is worth considering occupational therapy as co-occupation to develop client-centered occupation-based practice. To clarify the research situation regarding the occupational therapist - client relationship(OTR - CL relationship)in Japan, a review of relevant research literature from 2005 to 2015 was conducted. We used the data-base Ichushi to search for literature. After checking for in- and inclusion criteria 85 papers were retained for analysis. Case studies accounted for the vast majority, and studies with both clients and occupational therapists accounted were only 2. Observations in the data collection method were few. Only one study was written from the viewpoint of occupational science. Among the studies other than case studies, the interaction between the client and occupational therapist was described in 30%, but those that captured the OTR-CL relationship from an occupational perspective were few. In conclusion, to understand the OTR - CL relationship, occupational science research that includes the viewpoint of co-occupation, is needed.

View full abstract