Recreational Therapy and Blind Rehabilitation:
Synergy Within a Residential Blind Rehabilitation Center
•Fri Nov 06 •1:30pm-2:30pm •MARRIOTT IV
WHAT IS RECREATIONAL
THERAPY?
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
MINIMUM BACHELOR DEGREE
STATE/NATIONAL CERTIFIED- NCTRS, NATIONAL COUNCIL
THERAPEUTIC RECREATION CERTIFID (5YRS AUDIT),
RTC-RECREATION THERAPY CERTIFIED (2YRS AUDIT)
ANNUAL CONTINUING EDUCATION- 20 HOURS
ROOTS
The recreational therapy profession can be traced back to the 1850's when
Florence Nightingale decried the conditions of military hospitals during the
Crimean War. Nightingale protested that hospital conditions were
counterproductive to the recovery of patients and that recreation experiences could
be drawn upon to improve the human condition.
A WHOLISTIC APPROACH, ENCOMPASSES THE Physical,
EMOTIONAL, SOCIAL, LEISURE AND SPIRITUAL FACETS. In 1945 Dr.
Husk became founder of rehab medicine Quote, ‘we in the medical profession have
done these people no service if we offer them nothing more than potassium iodide,
digitalis and A rocking chair.
VISION LOSS
Vision loss can have a great impact on a person’s ability to perform routine
activities of daily living, as well as decrease a person’s overall quality of life.
Functional losses may include a decreased ability to participate in hobbies,
social activities, recreation and leisure activities.
QUESTIONS FOR YOU
HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU SPEND DURING THE WEEK
PARTICIPATING IN LEISURE ACCTIVITIES AND OR RECREATION…
OF ALL THE THINGS THAT YOU DO IN YOUR FREE TIME, WHAT
DO YOU LIKE BEST…
IS THERE AN ACTIVITY THAT YOU REALLY WANT TO DO, BUT
THINK YOU MAY NOT GET TO IT BEFORE YOU DIE.
IF YOU COULD LEARN A NEW ACTIVITY OR SPORT, WHAT
WOULD IT BE…
DESCRIBE THE BEST ACTIVITY YOU HAVE DONE…
ARE YOU PROUD OF YOUR LEISURE HABITS...
Where is RT practiced
HOSPITALS
REHABILITATION FACILITIES
LONG TERM CARE
Mental health facilities
Correctional facilities
Residential facilities
Special recreation associations
Special Olympics
Addiction treatment centers
Focus
Planned therapeutic Interventions
To
Enhance Rehabilitation – with active treatment to reduce effects of the
disability
Improve Functioning & INDEPENDENCE and meaning to ones life
Optimal Wellness - WE EMBRACE A DEFINITION OF HEALTH that
includes enhancement of cognitive/social/physical/spiritual and affective
development.
Rehabilitation-VA hospitals were the 1st to adopt us into the rehab process team.
Leisure understanding and awareness
Leisure attitude and skills
Functional abilities -
or eliminate self restrictions.
Cultural/Social Behaviors – Make constructive Productive use of time.
Interpersonal Skills –
isolation
Knowledge of resources and utilization.
Community reintegration and participation
BENEFITS OF RECREATION THERAPY
DIVERSION-example
PHYSICAL FITNESS – Recover basic motor function
RELAXATION –
Stress/anxiety
SOCIALIAZATION –
Depression
SENSE OF PURPOSE – Builds Confidence
MENTAL STIMULATION -
reasoning abilities.
TIME MANAGEMENT
IMPROVED HEALTH –
CREATIVE
the effects of physical illness
ARTS/CRAFTS
COOKING/BBQ
CREATIVE WRITING
DRAMA
HOBBIES
ENTERTAINMENT
CREATIVE EXPRESSION
PHYSICAL/SENSORY BODY MIND CONNECTION
PET THERAPY
RELAXATION
MUSIC
EXERCISE
SPORTS
SENSORY STIMULATION
CURRENT RESEARCH INDICATES A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF
POSITIVE HEALTH OUTCOMES DECREASE STRESS AND ANXIETY
INCREASE MOTOR FUNCTIONING, INCREASE SELF CONFIDEENCE
AND SOCIALIZATIION
SHARE A STORY
SHARE HOW RECREATION HAS AFFECTED YOUR LIFE AND IF
YOU FEEL IT IS IMPORTANT
WHY IS RT IMPORTANT
EVERYONE DESERVES LEISURE
SOME PEOPLE HAVE BARRIERS TO THEIR LEISURE
THERAPEUTIC Recreation specialist can help those with barriers reach
their leisure goals and improve their lives.
INTERVENTIONS
Community Integration
Adaptive Recreation
Leisure Education – Current Events, Discussion groups
Lectures, problem solving, daily living skills
Adaptive Sports, audio rifle, target, archery, golf
REMINISCING
TABLE GAMES
Multi-disciplinary Approach
- THEREAPEUTIC RECREATION IS PART OF THE TOTAL REHAB
PROCESS
EXAMPLES:
NAVIGATION
RESTAURANTS
MONEY TRANSACTION
THEATRE
FISHING
SIGHT SEEING
RESOURCES
The American Council of the Blind
Association for Education & Rehabilitation
Blind Veterans Association
National Federation of the Blind
Association for Service Disabled Veteran
National Center for Physical Activity & Disability
National Resource Directory
Warrior Gateway
RECREATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
United States Association of Blind Athletes
USA Paralympics Sports Clubs
International Blind Sports Association
BlazeSports America
Blind Judo Foundation
United States Blind Golf Association
Disabled Sports, USA
ANY QUESTIONS
RECREATIONS PURPOSE
IS NOT TO KILL TIME BUT TO MAKE LIFE
NOT TO KEEP A PERSON OCCUPIED BUT TO KEEP THEM
REFRESHED
NOT TO ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT DISCOVERY OF LIFE