Document Type

Capstone

Abstract

Increasing the physical activity level for those with an intellectual disability (ID) is clearly supported in research and includes crucial relationships between community partners and caregivers. One local community partner was utilized to implement a program for ID individuals and their caregivers which included education and training, the use of a caregiver guide booklet, and monitoring member engagement during physical activity. The project resulted in benefits to caregivers by increasing their knowledge in the process involved in supporting the member, increasing their knowledge of the facility, and increasing their knowledge of the member as related to physical activity. Members experienced increases in the amount of time they engaged in physical activity. The project facilitated the most improvement in the use positive caregiver tools for engaging individuals in physical activity including identifying goals, listing strengths, and identifying barriers before, during and throughout the process. Caregivers also rated improvements with the overall cooperation of the members during the project. The project revealed that the caregiver's need for support through a mentor during the provision of engagement was more important than merely providing them with information on how to use the facility and/or engage the member in physical activity. This implies the utilization of consultants, especially occupational therapists, could prove to be an asset to supporting those with an ID in physical activity.

Publication Date

2016

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