The Validity of Using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure with Older Adults with and without Depressive Symptoms

Abstract

No studies could be found that investigated the use of the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) with older adults with clinically significant depressive symptoms. This retrospective study utilized a sample of community-living older adults, ten with a clinically significant number of depressive symptoms (CDS) and a matched sample of persons who did not have a CDS. Older adults with CDS identified significantly more occupational performance concerns on the COPM. The top five concerns identified for participants with CDS were walking and/or transfers, travel, house cleaning tasks, self-care, and shopping. The results of this pilot study support the use of COPM with older adults with CDS.

KEYWORDS:

• Depression
• mood disorders