UNDERSTANDING THE POTENTIAL OF OCCUPATION - A QUALITATIVE EXPLORATIONOF SENIORS PERSPECTIVES ON ACTIVITY

This article presents the results of a qualitative study that explored the characteristics and potential of occupation. Semistructured inter views with 12 seniors who live in the community followed by member-che cking groups were used to explore informants' perspectives on the impo rtance and role of occupation in their lives by asking them about thei r activities. Themes pertinent to the characterization of activity, th e contributions of activity and a condition allowing for the potential of activity emerged from the inductive analysis. These themes provide information about how occupation naturally functions in the lives of seniors and suggest a tentative conceptualization of the characteristi cs and potential of occupation. The findings have implications for res earch regarding occupation and for clinical practice aimed at enabling occupation.