Lori Letts
Professor, Rehabilitation Science

Lori Letts is a Professor in the School of Rehabilitation Science. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Western Ontario. After working as an occupational therapist in general rehabilitation, long term care, and with clients in the community, she returned to graduate school. In 1991, she received a Master of Arts with a joint degree in Gerontology and Regional Planning and Resource Development. Her thesis examined environmental influences on the functional abilities of older adults. Following that, she worked as Researcher with Community Occupational Therapists and Associates in Toronto, and was also the Assistant National Coordinator of the CAOT Seniors' Health Promotion Project. She completed doctoral studies in the Faculty of Environmental Studies at York University in 2002. The focus of her doctoral dissertation was on the use of participatory research and community organizing as means to promote health with older adults in the city of Toronto.

Current research focuses on adults and older adults with chronic illnesses and helping them to manage their conditions in the context of the community. She is also involved in research to support older adults living in naturally occurring retirement communities (NORCs). Her research is conducted in community and primary care settings. She is also involved in research to identify and intervene in preventative ways so that people’s engagement occupation and health are optimized.