Occupational Therapy’s Role in Supporting Persons with Cognitive and Communication Impairment in Acute Hospital Settings

It is estimated that 10.9% of adults in the United States live with a cognitive disability and 10% experience communication disorders. When hospitalized, people who have co-occurring cognitive and communication impairments (CCI) experience more hospital-related complications, longer lengths of stay, and higher risks for readmission and mortality. Co-occurring CCI refers to people who are hospitalized for a primary condition who also have a pre-existing or hospital acquired CCI. Occupational therapists make important contributions to interprofessional care teams for persons with disabilities in hospital settings. This article explores the complexity of individual- and system-level factors contributing to poorer health outcomes for people who are hospitalized in acute hospital settings with co-occurring CCI and explores occupational therapy’s role in addressing these factors. Authors recommend that occupational therapists elicit change to improve outcomes on both system-level and individual-levels using an occupational justice perspective, following the occupational therapy process. This content may inspire occupational therapists to recognize and respond to the gaps in care in acute hospital settings for patients with co-occurring CCI and further the application of evaluation and intervention techniques for individuals experiencing co-occurring CCI in acute hospital settings.