Promoting Independence and Community Participation in Older Adults Through Occupational Therapy Driven Discharge Planning: A Randomized Control Trail

Background: Mental health disorders among older adults represent a growing public health challenge, particularly in countries where geriatric mental health services remain limited.

Aim: The EDU-MENT project (KA220-VET-2FD42AAD) aimed to develop and usability-test an innovative digital mental health screening tool to help address this gap.

Method: The EDU-MENT screening tool (www.edu-ment.eu) was developed following a review of >150 factors associated with mental health in older adults. These were refined into 44 screening items grouped into six domains: Demographic Characteristics, Health and Comorbidities, Cognitive and Emotional Function, Sleep and Nutrition, Community and Lifestyle, and Personal Space and Environment. Each item incorporates weighted-scoring based on literature evidence. The screening tool and its accompanying training programme were tested by 50 registered nurses from Cyprus, Austria, and Slovenia through a combination of synchronous-asynchronous learning activities, clinical scenarios, and case studies adapted in GR, DE, SI. Participants evaluated the tool' s usability, relevance, educational value, and potential application in clinical practice through structured questionnaires and qualitative feedback.

Result: Preliminary insights showed that overall satisfaction with the training programme was rated at 4.9/5.0, while the perceived benefit for clinical practice was rated at 4.7/5.0. Knowledge gained and the quality of the online self-study materials both received scores of 4.9/5.0, while the digital screening tool itself was rated at 4.8/5.0. Qualitative feedback highlighted the tool' s practical value, comprehensiveness, and relevance for supporting geriatric mental health assessment. Participants reported minor technical challenges, which are being fine-tuned.

Conclusion: The EDU-MENT screening tool represents a novel approach for the early detection of mental health risks among older adults. The positive preliminary usability and educational findings support its acceptability and potential contribution to geriatric mental healthcare practice. Yet, a large-scale, blined validation study is needed to draw robust conclusions regarding the tool's psychometric properties and value as compared to gold standard tools.