Open Circle Adult Day Doctoral Capstone

This doctoral capstone project focused on developing and implementing holistic health and wellness programming for older adults in an adult day program setting. Grounded in the principles of lifestyle medicine, the program integrated key areas including social connection, nutrition, physical activity, stress management, and restorative sleep. Additional emphasis was placed on sleep hygiene, fatigue management, and pain management strategies to support overall well-being. I completed my 14 week doctoral capstone experience at Open Circle Adult Day program in Apple Valley, MN.

The goal of this project was to promote functional independence and enhance quality of life through sustainable, person-centered interventions. By addressing daily habits and routines that impact health, this capstone highlights the unique role of occupational therapy in empowering older adults to build meaningful, healthy lifestyles and thrive in their everyday lives. Interventions were designed to be engaging, accessible, and adaptable to individual needs, ensuring participation across varying levels of ability, both physically and cognitively. Educational components were also incorporated to support carryover beyond the programming, including caregiver involvement with educational handouts and practical strategies that could be implemented at home. Overall, this capstone project demonstrates the value of a holistic approach in occupational therapy practice and its potential to create lasting, positive impacts on health and well-being in older adult populations.