Stop the Boring Routine. Add Some Fun to Patient Therapy.

July 13, 2015

National Therapeutic Recreation Week (July 12 to 18) is designed to raise awareness about out-of-the-box programs and services that improve the health and well-being of individuals with physical, mental and emotional disabilities. These individual or group-based activities should start with an assessment of the patient to track any advancements in reaching physical or cognitive goals.

Recent studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of therapeutic recreation, especially in cases of treating patients with stress-related cardiovascular disease. The inexpensive, practical programs are a mix of relaxation and active engagement, focused on creativity and self-expression.

– Adaptive Sports
– Muscle Relaxation or Mediation
– Expressive Arts
– Music Making
– Gardening/Baking
– Socialized Outings
– Crafting (collage making, knitting)
– Pet/Animal Grooming or Training

Restore an Excited Spirit in Your Nursing Staff

Therapeutic recreation should be a prescribed treatment intervention (at skilled nursing facilities and rehabilitation centers) provided by professionals, who are trained and certified in physiology, kinesiology, psychology and cognitive development.

In the same way a therapeutic recreation program stimulates social contact and integration of an in-patient treatment “community,” the fun activities can be a great benefit to your restorative nursing staff.

Therapeutic recreation enhances the environment at your facility, which will improve your staff retention and job satisfaction rates. This type of new program is perfect for nurses who are:

– Entering the pre-retirement phase.
– Out of sync with their work.
– No longer connecting with their patients.
– More stressed than in years past.
– Not fitting in in with the team

At a time when most advancements in health care are seen as high-tech and even de-personalized solutions, these positive and rewarding activities tackle the mind, body and spirit. Pathway Health challenges you to rediscover the passion!

Resource: Scutti, Susan. “National Therapeutic Recreation Week: Everything You Need To Know About The Field Of Healing.”