AOTA Participates in National Radio Tour (2005)
As more than a dozen occupational therapy practitioners participated as delegates at the White House Conference on Aging this week in Washington, the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) launched a "radio tour" for AOTA President M. Carolyn Baum. Dr. Baum sent a positive message about aging and the solutions provided by occupational therapy to local and national radio stations.
To promote recent research and to highlight the role of occupational therapy, President Baum's radio interviews stressed the importance of encouraging and enabling senior participation in occupations and activities they enjoy.
She suggested ways families might discuss these issues when they are together over the holidays and identified how occupational therapy can promote positive aging in place to keep seniors as active members of families and communities. (Stations do not provide exact times for broadcast so AOTA cannot provide detailed radio schedules.)
The radio tour built on the activity of the White House Conference on Aging to promote more public understanding of the profession and its role in enabling optimum performance and health across the lifespan.
The delegates at the White House Conference on Aging voted on critical policy issues including nursing home quality, driving issues, and technology. AOTA showcased the "CarFit" program in collaboration with AARP, the American Association on Aging, and the American Automobile Association during the conference.