Assessing the Occupational Performance Priorities of People Who Are Homeless

Abstract

SUMMARY This study examined retrospective data for 65 participants enrolled in an occupational therapy supportive employment program. The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) was used to identify self-perceived occupational performance problems specific to this population. Over half of the identified problems fell in the self-care domain (59%), about one-third (31%) were in the productivity domain and the final 10% were in the leisure domain. Narrative analysis of verbatim goals suggests that these individuals identified different types of self-care and productivity problems than samples in previous studies. The results of this study indicate that the COPM can facilitate person-centered, culturally responsive assessment with individuals who are homeless.