Benjamin E. Canter, OTD, is a PhD student in Rehabilitation Sciences at Boston University’s Sargent College for Health and Rehabilitation Sciences and an Instructor in the Services Division at the BU Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation (BU CPR). He completed his undergraduate studies at Skidmore College and received his Doctorate of Occupational Therapy (OTD) degree from Boston University. At BU CPR, Dr. Canter’s research bridges the intersection of Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Geriatric Health services. Dr. Canter has a decade of experience providing care to residents in nursing homes across roles in rehabilitation, recreation, and clinical practice.
Dr. Canter develops, teaches, and evaluates evidence-based social skills training interventions at BU CPR. His intervention, “Navigating Dating and Relationships,” for individuals with serious mental illness, has been permanently adopted by BU CPR and multiple clubhouses. Dr. Canter is also an active member of several national professional organizations and serves on the Clinical Practice Steering Committee of the Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medical Association (PALTmed).
Areas of Research
Community Discharge for Nursing Home Residents with Serious Mental Illness
Although individuals with serious mental illness represent only 6% of the U.S. population, they comprise 20% of residents in skilled nursing facilities. Dr. Canter’s research examines rates, barriers, and facilitators of successful community discharge for nursing home residents with serious mental illness. This line of research aims to inform eventual interventions to support community re-integration for residents with serious mental illness.
Microtransitions in Care
After nursing home admission, older adults are less likely to attend medical and recreation outings. The barriers to these outings are similar to those that impede successful community discharge—communication challenges, functional and medical concerns, transportation difficulties, and caregiver skill level. By applying what is known about care transitions to these “micro-transitions,” residents’ community participation, specialty healthcare access, and quality of life can be improved.
The Effect of COVID-19 on Nursing Home Residents
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted both major transitions of care and the smaller microtransitions that support rehabilitation and autonomy. Dr. Canter’s work explores how pandemic-related restrictions affected residents’ movement, access to services, and continuity of care, and how these disruptions influenced discharge planning. This line of research aims to ensure that future emergencies do not further limit residents’ autonomy, community participation, or ability to access the healthcare they need.
