The Revolutionizing Power of AI: Occupational Therapy and the Older Adult

Annette Bullard, Med, BA, COTA/L

Jennifer Castelli, OTD, OTR/L CHT

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cognitive assistance technologies may soon become some of the most essential tools for the occupational therapy practitioner (OTP) (Huynh et al., 2024). The analytic computing speed of AI, combined with an understanding of mind-body-spirit, helps OTPs support older adults in their quest to maintain cognitive function, independence, and overall quality of life.

Cognition is the cornerstone of living life safely and effectively. It encompasses the processing functions carried out by the brain, both conscious and unconscious, spanning elementary skills such as arousal, alertness, and orientation to higher-order skills such as insight, judgment, and problem-solving (Manee, Nadar, Alotaibi, & Rassafiani, 2020). Cognition develops and expands to meet the demands of daily life, but as a person ages, these processes may change, especially if there is a history of disease, trauma, or stress. To identify the potential for safe and effective living, it is vital that occupational therapists have tools to quickly assess cognition, whether in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, home health settings, or outpatient clinics. AI-powered cognitive screening apps like BrainCheck can assist occupational therapists with early identification.

There are more than 55 million people in the United States who are over the age of 65 (Kilduff, 2021). According to Kilduff (2021), the Census Bureau’s 2020 population estimates indicate that Florida is one of three states with the highest percentages of people over 65, at 21.3%. During this retirement stage of life, people often desire to remain independent, continue productive life roles, and form new habits and routines when necessary (Manee et al., 2020). New habits and routines often become essential after hospitalization to accommodate changes in activities such as medication management, understanding new treatment regimens (e.g., rehabilitation protocols, nebulizers, oxygen machines), monitoring blood glucose levels or blood pressure, and keeping up with doctors’ appointments and nutritional or dietary changes. However, even daily living activities such as cooking, cleaning, driving, shopping, and financial management can lead to devastating safety events when cognitive impairment goes undiagnosed.

In this new era of AI, OTPs can engage with next-generation digital technology to easily evaluate and provide early interventions for individuals showing even subtle signs of cognitive impairment (Tyler, 2024). AI-powered cognitive apps are already being used by primary care physicians and specialists, such as neurologists, during annual wellness checks to track objective cognitive baselines (BrainCheck, n.d.). The time is now for OTPs to harness the revolutionary breakthroughs in AI that empower them to tailor treatments, enhance functional cognition across settings, and improve care and outcomes for independent living like never before!

References

BrainCheck. (n.d.). Customers / 4,000+ cognitive health providers. https://braincheck.com/customers/

Huynh, D., Sun, K., Ghods, R., & Huang, B. (2024). Comparing psychometric characteristics of a computerized cognitive test (BrainCheck Assess) against the Montreal cognitive assessment. Frontiers in psychology, 15, Article 1428560. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1428560

Hood, T.R., (2024, August, 01). Artificial intelligence’s role in occupational therapy-The innovation and instability. AOTA.org. https://www.aota.org/publications/student-articles/career-advice/ai-innovation-instability

Kilduff, L. (2021, December 22). Which U.S. states are the oldest? PRB.org. https://prb.org/resources/which-us-states-are-the-oldest/

Manee, F. S., Nadar, M. S., Alotaibi, N. M., & Rassafiani, M. (2020). Cognitive assessments used in occupational therapy practice: A global perspective. Occupational therapy international, 2020(1), 8914372.