Eudaimonic wellbeing: A tool toward healthy aging

Abstract

The occupational therapy (OT) process uses meaningful occupations to assist individuals to regain function and resume occupational roles within cultural and societal norms. OT that is client-centred and addresses an individual's priorities related to achieving an overall sense of wellbeing can be more effective than interventions that focus solely on the accomplishment of performance skills. The concept of eudaimonic wellbeing (EWB) can be used by occupational therapists to support productive aging for community-dwelling elders. How can OT education and practice support EWB and acknowledge the individual's ability to (a) define subjective wellbeing and (b) select occupations to direct OT process? This paper presents educational activities used in an OTA program that considers EWB. A case study provides evidence that acknowledges the individual's ability to self-define healthy aging and identify occupations that contribute to EWB which can be used to direct the OT process to achieve a positive outcome.