Maryann Brennan, OTD, MA OTR/L; Grace Russ, MSOT-S
Community, & Population Health | Audience Level: Intermediate
Social isolation and physical inactivity are significant threats to health, participation, and quality of life among older adults. This presentation introduces The Virtual Village, an occupational therapy health promotion program designed to support social participation, physical activity, and engagement in meaningful occupations through a virtual group format. Attendees will explore the program’s development, theoretical rationale, intervention design, adaptation strategies, and anticipated outcomes related to aging in place. The session will demonstrate how occupational therapy practitioners can use occupation-based, low-cost, and scalable approaches to address community health needs while promoting participation, wellness, and independence. Participants will leave with practical ideas for implementing similar programs in community, telehealth, and aging services settings.