Therapeutic Recreation Leadership and Programming - Essay Example

?Introduction to management and welfare SAMUEL LITHGOU CENTER STANHOPE STREET NW13R Target Group: Elderly persons aged 65+ Project Background This project responds to recreational needs of the elderly within the community. This project is informed by the low access of recreational facilities and social services within the community, which is predominantly depressed. This project is directed at enabling the senior citizens to interact with their environment positively and abate isolation, which can lead to reduced self-esteem and depression. The project’s target group is senior citizens, 65 years and above. The group project incorporates three departments and a reflection of the structure of community projects. The project encompasses three departments: activities manager, funding manager and volunteering manager. My role in the project incorporates activities manager whereby I will facilitate recreational and therapeutic activities for the elderly. The role of the funding manager is to adopt grant models of funding the project, as well as managing and allocating finances to the project’s activities. The volunteers’ manager, on the other hand, will be responsible for recruiting, coaching, organizing, encouraging, and supporting volunteers. Project Objectives The elementary objective of this project is to mitigate feelings of social isolation among the elderly residents. Pursuing the comfort of the elderly is not farfetched as it reinforces their productivity within the society. The provision of comprehensive leisure activities suited for the elderly is geared towards enabling them to remain active throughout the later stages of their life. This is vital in curtailing seniors’ predisposition to isolation by actively engaging them into leisure activities. Similarly, the project is geared towards integrating the elderly into the community via group interactions and social functions. Ultimately, the project is directed at promoting healthy living and reinforcing social networks among the elderly (Kunstler & Daly 2010, p.341). Roles and Responsibilities of Activities Manager One of the core mandates of activities manager is to encourage the elderly residents to suggest enjoyable leisure activities, which are then implemented. The involvement of the elderly into choice of activities is essential; active involvement aids in maintaining an elevated mood state within the group. As activities manger, I will have to coordinate with agents such as social administrators in order to plan and implement programs geared towards enhancing the lifestyle of the elderly. In addition, I will also need to develop innovative activity programs and events for my clients as well keep abreast with the recent trends in recreational facilities. Recruitment of the Participants Recruiting the seniors into the envisaged physical and social spaces will not be an easy endeavor. To start with, we will approach the local community leaders to gather firm support for the project. Seeking support and endorsement by the local community groups and leaders enhances solid commitment from the community in terms of ongoing support principle, action, and finances. In the recruitment process, we will seek the indulgence of the local community through the use of events and a study so as spot the target audience. Since this project is a daycare facility for the elderly, the project targets older residents who have not yet been incorporated into the residential housing for the elderly, and who bear the blunt of increased levels of social isolation and depressed community involvement. The operation of the project is similar in many respects to other resident care facilities for the elderly. We are seeking to attract retirees, a maximum of 50, and have devised several ways in which to interact with them. The project is in its resident recruitment phase, which incorporates sourcing information from the social administrators within the community and inviting retirees to apply. We will also hold an “open afternoon” and let the local people know the project’s plans and help recruit interested participants. The centre’s admission and retention policy is biased and accommodates seniors without behavioral or psychological problems. Albeit, one may contest this precedent to be discriminatory, the decision is informed by the fact that, for the present, the facility does not have access to specialists, who can give adequate care to this section of clients. Accessing the database on elderly within the community and obtaining the consent of the subjects as well as their families or relatives is critical. In addition, we will produce posters and fliers detailing contacts and what we hope to achieve on the project, inclusive of the closure date for any interested enquiries. We will get authorization and certification from the local council. In addition, we will consult the local social administrators and the community at large through public forums. One of the prominent ways to make the older people come to the facility revolves around making them feel useful. Although, it may seem manipulative, it is in line with human nature whereby every person wishes to feel appreciated. I will introduce them into social clubs at the centre and encourage them to participate in activities that the centre has on offer. Samuel Lithgou Center: We believe in Inclusive Decision Making Every member of Samuel Lithgou Center is encouraged to take part in decision making. We as well believe in openness and honesty. We endeavor to create spaces that are safe, peaceful, and healthy for all. To achieve this, we foster full participation, mutual understanding, inclusive solutions, and shared decision making (Kaner 2007, p.2). The decision making process concerning the activities to be implemented as well as placement in the project will be inclusive. Obtaining a valid, informed consent from the participants in the welfare project is a crucial. The decision on the choice of activities to be implemented will be reached via the platform of discussion groups. The decision making process will be deliberative and democratic processes to ensure that the diversity can be represented within the process. Project Methodology: Proposed Activities Celebrations The celebrations encompass holiday parties, thanksgivings, reunions, and even birthdays are joyous times for all the participants as long as memories are made. The celebrations will not mean that the project will compromise client’s old family traditions. Celebrations aids in fostering strong relationships as well as creating a festive atmosphere. The birthday parties will be held once per month for all the clients who were born during that month. The participants can make the celebrations remarkable by celebrating with the guests. Some of the seniors may aid in making the cake as well as with decorations and wrapping of gifts. Other celebrations include thanksgiving celebrations whereby large feasts will be organized. All elders will be invited in the celebrations, and family and friends may join the celebrations. Other celebrations may encompass secular holiday celebrations such as mothers and fathers day as well as religious holidays such as Easter. Project Risk Management Since the establishment will be run by three managers, the others being funding manager and volunteering manager, attaining seamless coordination between the three departments is not easy. Conflict in the execution of the activities may arise due to lack of concise lines of communications between all parties in the group. Other challenges that I may face in implementing recreational activities include cognitive impairments by the elders. Older individuals who have dementia are most likely to suffer from physical impairments or medical conditions, which may constrain their ability to engage in certain activities. This in turn, will render some of the planned recreational activities redundant. Moreover, the physical changes may hamper effective communication with my clients making it hard for me to avail quality recreation to all the seniors (Kunstler & Daly 2010, p.341). In addition, I anticipate encountering ethical challenges in availing recreational activities to the elderly persons. To overcome this challenge, I will endeavor to consult and follow the code of ethics as stipulated by the regulatory body and uphold professionalism. Implementation Plan To start with, I need to obtain certification from the relevant authority. Attaining certification is essential to prove my professional eligibility via work experience and higher education. As the activity manager, I need to comprehend the needs of the elderly within the community, which are diverse form one person to the other. Moreover, I need to prepare a calendar of events outlining the activities that ought to be accomplished. This will comprise preparation of a report detailing the suggestions for the activities and their timeline. Some of the resources that I need include books to be stocked in the library. Other valuable resources include the internet and libraries. Other resources include materials needed to facilitate the recreational activities. Cooperation in execution of each department’s mandate is crucial in the attainment of the goals of the project. Activities Breakdown and Task Time Estimates The project will be carried out for a period of six months. The first and second month will feature securing funding, participants’ recruitment and laying logistics such as location, requisite equipments, and community transport. We hope to full in operation from the commencement of the third month. The centre will be open on weekdays from 9.00 am to 15.30 hrs during the weekends and public holidays, on Saturdays from 9.00 am to 12.00 hrs, and whenever festive activities and programmes are scheduled Name of the Project: Project State: Last Modified: Time Activity Type Timeline Date Scheduled Date Occurred 9.00-11.00 Celebrations 11.00-12.00 Group Discussion 12.00-1.00 Lunch 1.00-3.00 Group Discussions Conclusion In conclusion, this project possesses a lot of potential and is designed with the ultimate purpose and aim of providing needs of recreation to the older population. In a special way, the project is expected to yield and have a positive impact on the physical and cognitive health of the seniors within the community. The relevance and feasibility of the project rests on active involvement of the target group and effective managerial skills, which is a prerequisite to the success of the project. Effective planning of activities will be complemented by optimum assembling of resources such as funds, as well as the organization of volunteers. References List Kaner, S. (2007). Facilitator’s guide to participatory decision making, San Francisco, Jossey-Bass. pp.2-3. Kunstler, R. & Daly, F. (2010). Therapeutic recreation leadership and programming, Leeds, Human Kinetics. pp. 338-347. Read More