• May 1, 2009 Ruth Lilly Auditorium, Riley Hospital

OBJECTIVE: There is limited research on how older adults experience the phenomenon of using paratransit services. This phenomenological research project explores the lived experience of people over the age of 65 who use paratransit services and how it impacts their quality of life.

METHOD: Twelve older adults who use paratransit services were interviewed using semi-structured interviews. The same open-ended questions were used to guide each interview.

RESULTS: Three themes emerged from the data: Lack of Control, Quality of Life Through Engagement in Occupation and Sense of Community. During the process of horizonalization, eleven clusters of meaning were identified from the data. They are: Loss of Time, Lifestyle Change, Reliance on Others, Adapting/Accepting Circumstances, Financial Conflicts, Aging Process and Health Declines, ADL/IADL, Work/Volunteer, Social Participation, Knowledge of Resources/Education and Dignity. While study participants reported frustration with some aspects of paratransit use, the data indicates that the support paratransit provides to engagement in meaningful occupations, and thus quality of life, is invaluable.

CONCLUSION: The picture of how older adults experience paratransit use and how it affects their quality of life painted by this study shows the importance of addressing community mobility throughout occupational therapy interventions and the occupational therapy discharge process.