Background:

With rising life expectancy, older adults in India have become major consumers of acute hospital services, with an average hospital stay of seven days. Post-hospitalization, many experience a decline in functional ability, which increases the risk of readmission, institutional care, and reduced quality of life. Occupational Therapy discharge planning has been identified as a key intervention to bridge hospital–community care, aiming to restore independence and promote meaningful participation.

Aim:

To assess the impact of OT discharge planning on independence and participation in older adults.

Methods:

A quasi-experimental one-group pre- and post-test design will be conducted with 100 participants aged 60 years and above, purposively recruited from Sri Ram Cancer & Super Specialty Centre and Mahatma Gandhi Occupational Therapy College, Jaipur. Inclusion criteria are older adults willing to consent; exclusion criteria are severe cognitive impairment (MoCA <10) and high fall risk (TUG ≥14 seconds). The intervention will involve client-centered discharge planning, including functional assessments, home environment evaluations, and individualized goal setting. Outcome measures are the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, and Discharge Planning Assessment Tool (DPAT). Data will be analyzed using descriptive statistics in SPSS.

Expected Results:

OT discharge planning is expected to enhance functional abilities, mobility, and confidence; increase participation in daily and community activities; reduce falls; and lower readmission rates.

Conclusion:

Findings will support OT discharge planning as an effective client-centered approach to promote independence and community reintegration in older adults.

Keywords: Occupational Therapy, Discharge Planning, Older Adults, Independence, Participation, Functional Ability

Mr. Alok Kumar Barik is an accomplished academic professional associated with the Mahatma Gandhi University of Medical Sciences and Technology (MGUMST), Jaipur, India. He is dedicated to advancing medical education and research through innovative teaching and scholarly contributions. With a strong commitment to excellence, Mr. Barik actively engages in academic development, student mentorship, and collaborative research initiatives within the medical sciences. His work reflects a passion for improving healthcare outcomes and fostering scientific learning