Mr. Anderson is a 56-year-old Veteran who is homeless. As an occupational therapist, you know most individuals who are homeless focus on occupations related to survival. During an occupational profile, Mr. Anderson will most likely identify which daily occupation as a priority?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Due to a lack of housing and the resources needed to satisfy basic needs, occupations that ensure survival are particularly meaningful to the homeless population (Marshall et al., 2017; Thomas et al., 2017). Occupations of survival are intended to satisfy immediate needs, and they rely on routines that are both consistent and reliable. They include securing food, finding a place to stay, completing personal hygiene and grooming tasks, staying out of trouble with law enforcement (Thomas et al., 2017), and seeking safety. Participation in these occupations often represents an undue burden for persons who are homeless, with the time and energy spent securing shelter, food, clothing, and relief from extreme temperatures leaving very little energy for securing housing. Participants of a recent study assessing meaningful occupations of the homeless noted that a great deal of time was spent waiting to receive services at various shelters, meal programs, and other resource centers. They also noted that interacting with other homeless individuals, especially those with a mental illness or criminal background, made securing safety a particularly important occupation. This was due, in part, to the conflict that often results from limited access to basic resources (Marshall et al., 2017).

Mr Anderson Is a 56-Year-Old Veteran Who Is Homeless