The contribution of occupational therapy to the work-to-retirement transition process in Australia: a review of the literature

Introduction: Retirement from work is a significant life event in Australia. With the baby boomer population entering retirement, an ageing population and the diversity in the work-to-retirement process, there is a need to better understand this occupational transition. Enabling active ageing within the retirement process will become increasingly important, as choices need to be made to facilitate changes in lifestyle post work. Aim: This review aimed to identify occupational therapy's contribution to the work-to-retirement transition process in Australia. Methods: A literature review was undertaken through database searches in August 2014. Inclusion criteria included peer reviewed studies on the contribution of occupational therapy to the work-to-retirement transition process in Australia published in the past 20 years. Thematic analysis was conducted to determine the relationship of study findings to an occupational perspective and the role of occupational therapists in clinical practice. The McMaster critical appraisal tools were utilised to determine methodological quality. Results: Eight qualitative studies meeting the inclusion criteria were identified. No articles on current occupational therapy clinical practice were found. Preliminary themes identified include: occupational identity, occupational roles and occupational adaptation related to the occupational perspective; and retirement planning and implementation related to the potential occupational therapy role. Preliminary critical analysis findings include generalisability and data saturation limitations. Conclusion: Occupational therapy's focus on occupation can assist in understanding the work-to-retirement transition process experience. Occupational therapy is well placed to establish a clinical role in facilitating the retirement transition to support a healthy ageing population.