Therapeutic Recreation Program - Research Proposal Example

Running Head: A THERAPEUTIC RECREATION PROGRAM A therapeutic recreation program Name Course Institution Date A therapeutic recreation program Introduction A therapeutic recreation program is a routine course that is carried out in order to enhance the well being of residents in a particular setting. The programs are largely dominated by recreation activities that aid in the treatment of illnesses and the enhancement of physical, emotional and cognitive health. This intervention is in most cases carried out in clinical, community and residential settings. Persons responsible for creating and coordinating therapeutic recreation programs are referred to as therapeutic recreation specialists or recreation therapists. The main role of a therapeutic recreation specialist is to assist their patients to over come their challenges and live quality lives (Alperin & Rose, 1988). Conventionally, therapeutic recreation programs are geared towards using recreation experiences to assist the aged, persons with illnesses and disabilities to overcome their specific challenges that avert them from living fulfilling and quality of life. Currently, therapeutic recreation programs have extended their scopes and they programs include services to persons with aging barriers and health issues (Gunn & Peterson, 2008). Presently, therapeutic recreation programs have been refined so as to meet the specific needs and preferences of the clients. Furthermore, these programs are flexible so as to accommodate a variety of issues put across by the client. As a therapeutic recreation specialists my area of placement is in a clinical settings that offers aged and disability services. In this setting, I will be required to work with an ageing patient with disabilities so that they can experience a quality life. This paper seeks to present a therapeutic recreation program that I developed for a client referred to as Harold. Harold is a 69 year old man with limb disabilities that can be attributed to spinal cord injuries. For almost a decade Harold has been moving with the support of a wheelchair. Occasionally, he suffers from depression that causes him to be somewhat unsociable. Moreover, he is highly dependant on his care givers even in tasks that he can conduct by himself. For instance, he is fed and bathed by the caregivers. The aim of the therapeutic program that I have developed is geared towards ensuring that Harold experiences quality life and that at the end of this program he will become sociable, independent, stress free and rejuvenated. The developed therapeutic program will be based on the review of a particular literature (Chop & Robnett, 2008). Literature Review Therapeutic recreation programs involve the provision leisure and recreation services to the aged and persons with disabilities among many other groups. The fundamental objective this program lies in maintaining the well being of the client’s life in reference to their physical, mental, emotional and social aspects of life. In most cases these programs cover three main areas namely, treatment, recreation education and participation. Treatment in the form of recreation activities is given to individual with disabilities so as to improve their body functioning. Recreation education aids individual to develop and implement lifestyles that are balanced and healthy. The client’s involvement or participation is the paramount goal of recreation programs. Recreation therapists have the duty of evaluating their clients, developing and implementing treatment strategies (Pike, Barr & Hums, 2004). Therapeutic interventions through the use of recreation activities assist in the improvement of functional skills such as coordination, muscle strength, mobility, balance and flexibility. Recreation is a vital aspect of a healthy lifestyle. Research finding clearly indicate that physical activities greatly assist in reducing stress, stimulating mental activeness and the enhancement healthy nutritional habits. The complete involvement of the client in recreation programs is imperative since these programs promote the overall well being of the client, they help to reduce stress and they lead to the development of new skills. These programs also increase self esteem and confidence in the client (Gunn & Peterson, 2008). For persons with spinal cord injuries, therapeutic recreation programs assist in developing endurance, independence and strength. For ageing persons who reside in care facilities therapeutic recreation programs give these individuals physical and social stimulation which are generally essential in giving the individual purpose to live. The process of developing therapeutic recreation programs entails evaluation, planning, implementation and evaluation. In the course of developing the program the initial assessment should identify the current and future needs of the client (Robertson, 2007). Moreover, operating procedures and policies should be put into account. Recreation activities especially for ageing persons have over the course of time proved to be somewhat challenging due to dementia relate habits. Nonetheless, appropriate recreation activities can keep this individual engaged in meaningful pursuits that promote their overall well being. In the course of selecting these activities the client’s personality, needs and skill level should as well be put to account. Dementia related habits in ageing persons occur mostly when the patient is unoccupied or is experiencing boredom. Recreation activities help to avert dementia related habits (Marcia, 1991). Designing successful therapeutic recreation programs requires the recreation therapist to fully capture their client’s specific style, needs, personality and interests. Research studies have established that activities that are tailored according to the client’s personality, needs and interests produce positive out comes in comparison to activities that are tailored according to the level of the client’s skills. In a review of literature on therapeutic recreation programs (Grunn, 1988) observes that the main purpose of recreation activities is to capture interest through the suggested recreation activities and stir up positive effects in the client’s behavior. Recreation therapist evaluate their clients through medical their medical records, observation and testimonies from the clients, close family members and their care givers. Subsequent to the evaluation process the therapists embarks on developing therapeutic interventions that are in line with the client’s interests and needs (Marcia, 1991). Evidently, most therapeutic recreation programs have an evolving and changing nature that are not only geared toward enhancement of the patient’s health but they also promote gratification and creativity at all levels. These programs may include in door games, personal involvement activities such as gardening and nature walks among many other activities. The recreation program could also include physical exercises or activities that promote the wellness of the body and the mind. In addition, the recreation programs could include passive activities like watching films or reading, these activities are bound to promote relaxation and induce sleep. By combining both theoretical and practical applications of designing successful recreation programs the recreation specialist is enabled to create a management tool for planning, implementing, evaluating and assessing the recreation programs in different settings. Practice Application It was imperative to evaluate the needs and preferences of my client, Harold before developing the therapeutic recreation program. Furthermore, it was also necessary to come up with the goals of this program. Through the conducted assessment the following was established: 1. The existing needs of Harold. a) Needs to manage his stress levels so as to avert depression b) Needs physical exercises to aid in the recovery of his spinal cord injury c) Needs to be self motivated and independent in order for him to be rejuvenated. d) Needs to be more sociable or interactive so as to build quality relationships. 2. Harold’s special interests and preferences a) Gardening and Nature walks b) Playing chess and poker c) Fishing and camping d) Soft sports 3. The expected outcomes or goals of the therapeutic recreation program a) The client will be sociable and interactive with the people surrounding him. b) Improvement in the physical well being of the client. c) The client should experience cognitive and emotional stability. d) The client should be self motivated and independent. e) The life of the client should be rejuvenated Harold’s therapeutic program Morning Sessions- In door games Harold’s morning schedule will be characterized by in door games such as poker, chess and other table games. These in door games require the involvement and participation of two or parties thus providing a platform whereby Harold can socialize with other residents. Furthermore, these games will bring about amusement and stimulate his thinking. These games also tend to challenge, reduce stress and create social cohesion (AHPER, 2008). It was vital to schedule the in door games during the morning session so as to set the mood for the rest of the day. After this session the client is bound to have an urge of participating in other activities. Mid morning sessions- personal involvement activities Personal involvement activities are those activities that require the client’s involvement and are enjoyable to the client. In reference to Harold’s interests and preferences his personal involvement activities during the mid morning hours will include gardening and nature walks. Occasionally, Harold’s therapeutic program during the mid morning session could involve camping, fishing and sight seeing escapades. These activities will aid to avert depression and rejuvenate Harold’s life. Moreover, as Harold participated in these events he we learn to be cognitively independent (Killeffer& Bennett, 1985). Afternoon sessions- physical activities or exercises Physical activities aid in the improvement of functional skills such as coordination, muscle strength, mobility, balance and flexibility. Due to the fact that Harold nurses spinal chord injuries physical activities that are less strenuous could aid improving his overall functionality. For instance soft sports such as softball, wheelchair basket ball, golf and swimming among many other sports activities could be favorable for Harold. Warm water or therapeutic pools which have ramps or lifts to aid the entry of disabled persons in the pools facilitate the ability to swim and exercise. Sessions of physical activities not only lead to the enhancement of joint mobility and muscle strength they also improve digestion, circulation, relaxation, sleep, appetite and respiration. In addition, physical activities assist in the breaking of the vicious circles of inactivity (AHPER, 2008). Evening sessions-Passive activities Harold’s evening program will be characterized by activities that are geared towards bringing about relaxation. The recommended activities in his evening program include reading and watching films. These passive activities in the evening are bound to induce sleep, prevent boredom, promote relaxation and reduce stress levels (Human Kinetics, 2006). During the evening the client is bound to be somewhat tired as a result of the activities that the he participated in during the course of the day. It is therefore important that the evening session should be characterized by activities that are not strenuous to both the body and the mind. Given the fact that majority of patients in therapeutic recreation programs have sleeping disorders, the appropriate recreation activities during the evening sessions should be those that induce sleep. The clients relaxation preferences need to be put into account since relaxation activities vary from one person to another. Summary of Harold’s therapeutic program Sessions Type of recreation activity Recreation activities Aims of the recreation activities Expected outcomes Morning In door games -poker -chess -cards and other tables games -Promote socialization and interactions -Reduce stress -Pose a challenge to the participants -improvement in the client’s socialization. -prevention of depression Mid-morning Personal involvement activities Gardening Nature walks Camping Fishing Sight seeing -avert depression -bring about amusement -rejuvenation -promote cognitive independence -Enjoyment -Independence -prevention of depression -Self motivation and independence After-noon Physical activities or exercises Soft ball Wheel chair basketball Baseball Golf Swimming Therapeutic pools - improve body functionality -enhance breathing -muscle strength -blood circulation -Improvement of body functionality - prevention of depression - cognitive and physical stability Evening Passive activities Reading Film watching Listening to music -endorse relaxation -induce sleep -prevent boredom -minimize stress levels -minimized stress levels - prevention of depression -Relaxation Conclusion A therapeutic recreation program is a regular course that is conducted in order to promote the well being of residents in a particular setting. The programs are largely dominated by recreation activities that help in the treatment of illnesses and the improvement of physical, emotional and cognitive health. As a therapeutic recreation specialists my area of placement is in a clinical settings that offers aged and disability services. In this setting, I will be required to work with an ageing patient with disabilities so that they can experience a quality life. In the course of designing successful therapeutic recreation programs it is essential to put into account the client’s specific style, needs, personality and interests (Krauss, 1988). In Harold’s therapeutic program the morning session will characterized by in door games such as poker, chess and other table games since these involve the participation of two or more parties they are bound to promote socialization. The mid morning session will be characterized by personal involvement activities such as nature walks and gardening that are bound to avert depression and rejuvenate Harold’s life. During the afternoon sessions Harold’s therapeutic program will involve physical activities such soft ball, wheel chair basketball, baseball, golf and swimming in therapeutic pools. These activities will promote the overall functionality of the body. The evening sessions will be characterized by passive activities such as watching films, reading and listening to music. These activities are bound to prevent boredom and induce relaxation (AHPER, 2008). References Alliance for Health, Physical Education and Recreation. (2008).Journal of physical education and recreation Volume 51. Michigan: University of Michigan Press. Alperin, S & Rose, L. (1988).120 careers in the health care field. Michigan: University of Michigan Press. Chop, W & Robnett, H. (2008).Gerontology for the Health Care Professional. New York: Jones & Bartlett Publishers. Gunn, S & Peterson, A. (2008).Therapeutic recreation program design: principles and procedures. London: Prentice-Hall Publishers. Human Kinetics Organization. (2006).Introduction to recreation and leisure. New York: Human Kinetics. Killeffer, E & Bennett, R. (1985).Handbook of innovative programs for the impaired elderly Volume 3, Issue 3 of Physical and Occupational Therapy in Geriatrics Series. New York: Routledge Publishers. Krauss, R. (1988).Therapeutic Recreation Service: Principles and Practices. New York: Wm. C. Brown Publishers. Marcia, J. (1991). Designing therapeutic Recreation Programs in the community. Retrieved on November 4 2009. Pike, L. Barr, C & Hums, M. (2004).Principles and practice of sport management. New York: Jones & Bartlett Publishers. Robertson, T. (2007).Foundations of Therapeutic Recreation. New York: Human Kinetics. Read More