The USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy (OT) is a partner working closely with GenSpace to bring clinical and functional physical support to GenSpace members.
Over the summer, three interns from the school began a 12-week placement to fulfill their Level IIA fieldwork requirement. In this role, Alena Cardwell, Adriana De Paz, and Lena Li provided support to GenSpace members, offering suggestions or assistance with physical exercises or modifications to help manage and improve their quality of life at home.
The students’ weekly support reinforced the value that occupational therapy can provide to older adults as they manage changes in their physical abilities.
From left to right: Adriana De Paz, Na (Lena) Li, Alena Cardwell
“OT is a health care profession that works with people of all ages to engage in needed, wanted, and expected occupations,” said Lena Li. “We help members navigate and find purpose in their lives to live a meaningful and joyful life.”
As more older adults choose to age in place, there is a growing demand for innovative and safe practices to help support their independent living and OTs offer solutions and tools to make that feasible.
“People face different health conditions as they get older,” said Alena Cardwell. “OTs empower them to take initiative in their own health – we give them the tools to feel confident and adapt their lifestyle habits to prevent future illnesses and allow them to continue to live independently.”
In their role at GenSpace, the OT interns focused on empowering members through various resources including the weekly Wellness with OT classes that included tips like how to prevent falls, how to improve sleep, and how to manage chronic conditions while also offering adaptive tools like home modifications they can make to create a safer environment.
Interns also provided one-on-one consultations to create tailored strategies for members’ unique needs and goals. Members expressed appreciation for both the classes and consultations and actively applied and engaged with the weekly program.
“I’ve observed members practicing our tips, asking questions, and sharing the resources,” said Adriana De Paz. “I think it’s powerful that they’re not just taking the knowledge for themselves but passing it along.”
“It’s very encouraging to see the members listen and apply our tips in their daily lives,” Li said. “It makes me feel like I’m making an impact in this community — even if it’s just a little bit.”
