Introduction: Meaningful occupation is critical to the health, wellbeing, and recovery of hospitalised older adults within Geriatric Evaluation and Management (GEM) settings. However, competing clinical priorities and staffing constraints limit the delivery of such engagement. “OTAssist” is an innovative model that aims to address this gap by integrating a structured student Occupational Therapy (OT) volunteer workforce to enhance activity provision to inpatients and enrich student learning experiences.

Implementation: OTAssist uses a continuous stream of OT students completing volunteering hours through the MOTPrac (Masters of Occupational Therapy) program. Students provide personalised one-to-one and small-group engagement for GEM inpatients within a clearly defined scope of activities. Foundational work has included drafting operational protocols, clarifying role boundaries, establishing onboarding and supervision pathways, and collaborating closely with university partners, volunteer coordinators, and clinical teams. A formal evaluation is planned and embedded within the model. Data will be collected from multiple stakeholders including patients, students, GEM clinicians, university staff, and volunteer services, to examine feasibility, acceptability, perceived benefits, implementation barriers, and resource implications.

Discussion: Early feedback obtained during development suggests strong interest and perceived value in the model. Presenting OTAssist at this stage provides an opportunity to share the conceptual framework, illustrate the operational design, and contribute to discussions on innovative workforce solutions within aged-care and rehabilitation settings.

Conclusion: OTAssist offers a novel and potentially sustainable approach to increasing meaningful engagement for hospitalised older adults, while supporting the professional growth of future OTs. Full evaluation will inform future refinement, scalability, and broader applicability across contexts.