思覺失調症個案的平均餘命較一般健康族群短，易罹患一些慢性生理疾病，並有提早老化及加速老化之情形。然而，這個族群不但較難獲得適當且充足的醫療資源，其社會及家庭的支持度亦受到限制，進而影響其職能參與能力與生活品質。職能治療師在精神障礙者復元之路扮演重要角色，透過瞭解思覺失調症個案面臨的老化挑戰，職能治療師將更能依據個案之需求提供合適的治療與訓練，協助個案充實自我價值與健康老化。
本文透過文獻回顧，並使用國際健康功能與身心障礙分類系統(International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health)做分析，歸納思覺失調症個案於老化過程中的相關影響因子，包括身體功能、活動與參與、環境及個人因素。為了讓中老年思覺失調症個案健康老化，可藉由早期篩檢及評估來掌控個案各項功能，並提供適合的介入計畫或個別化的生活型態方案，以延緩衰弱，促進個案的職能參與，在生命的中晚期重拾自我價值，提高生活品質。

Individuals with schizophrenia have a shorter life expectancy than the healthy population, and suffer from several chronic diseases, as well as premature aging and accelerated aging. However, it is challenging for them to obtain appropriate medical resources, and the social and family supports are limited, influencing their abilities on occupational participation and quality of life. The occupational therapist serves an important role in the recovery process of individuals with mental illness. With better understanding of the problems of patients facing to aging, occupational therapists have a better chance to help patients fulfill self-worth and healthy aging.
By reviewing the literature, this article used the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health to analyze the influencing factors in the aging process, including body structure and function, activities and participation, environment factors and personal factors. In order to make middle-aged and older individuals with schizophrenia experience healthy aging, early screening and evaluation are suggested to monitor the changes on various functioning. It is also recommended to develop appropriate interventions and individualized lifestyle programs to decelerate the frailty process and to facilitate occupational participation, so that they could regain self-worth and improve quality of life.