Occupational Therapy students host health and wellness fair for Portland senior residents

Second-year students from the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (M.S.O.T.) program at the University of New England brought valuable health education and community engagement to residents of The Park Danforth in Portland on July 31, hosting the second-annual UNE OT Health and Wellness Fair designed specifically for older adults.

The interactive event featured informative exhibits and presentations on a range of topics relevant to aging well and maintaining independence. 

Students from the Class of 2026 shared evidence-based insights and practical strategies on improving sleep quality, making nutritious food taste better, taking medications safely and on time, and using technology for social connection while avoiding internet scams.

Other topics included dating and relationships later in life, pet care as physical abilities change, hand health and strengthening, fall prevention, kitchen safety and adaptive tools, safe and pain-free sex as during aging, volunteerism opportunities for older adults, and accessible meal planning and grocery delivery services.

“This event is a wonderful example of experiential learning in action,” said Caroline Beals, Ph.D., OTR/L, CHSE, program director and associate professor of occupational therapy at UNE. “It not only benefits the students through real-world application of their studies, but also brings meaningful and empowering information to older adults in our community.”

Residents of The Park Danforth — located just steps from UNE’s Portland Campus for the Health Sciences — responded with enthusiasm, engaging with students at each booth, asking questions, and reflecting on how the information could support their health, independence, and quality of life. 

The OT Health and Wellness Fair is part of UNE’s ongoing commitment to community-based learning and promoting wellness across the lifespan through the lens of occupational therapy.

Students said the experience was impactful for their growth as future OT professionals.

“For those of us that don't have a ton of experience with older adults, it's been really nice to just introduce ourselves and meet them where they're at and realize that occupational therapy carries over through the entire lifespan,” noted Amelia Teta (M.S.O.T., ’26). 

“This Park Danforth Wellness Fair has offered me and my peers a good experience to really focus on a topic that we're interested in, engage with the community a little bit, and get real-world examples of conditions that people are living with every day,” said Evan Brohan (M.S.O.T., ’26). “Overall, it provided good insight and an empathetic understanding of the community I'll be working with.”