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Recreational Therapy Promotes Wellness

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Recreational Therapy Promotes Wellness
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Recreational Therapy Promotes Wellness

Recreation is important in promoting the well-being of elders and maintaining their capacities. Engaging in activities helps satisfy the needs of the “total” person, including physical, social, emotional, and spiritual well-being, by allowing individuals to use their strengths, to maintain positive attitudes and to find meaning in their lives.

Recreation participation has significant benefits including increased self-esteem, improved social skills and a sense of meaning and accomplishment.

Some impaired persons may require specialized treatment or professional intervention in order to enjoy a meaningful leisure experience. The purpose of recreation therapy is to improve those functional behaviors that inhibit leisure involvement.

Recreation therapy focuses upon defined treatment goals that allow the therapist to help the individual identify problems and improve his or her ability to participate in activities.

The ideal recreation program for a frail elder is developed based upon the person’s age and his/her physical, cognitive, psychosocial and rehabilitation needs.

There are many recreation programs available for older adults who live in the community, and they vary according to the capabilities of the population they serve. Major programs are:

  • Senior Centers
  • Social Adult Day Programs
  • Adult Day Health Programs

Jewish Home Lifecare offers both Social Adult Day Programs and Adult Day Health Care Programs.

Social Adult Day Programs provide social and recreational activities for a few hours on certain days.

Adult Day Health Programs are licensed by the New York State Department of Health, and typically provide medical and rehabilitative services in addition to recreation and food.

Jewish Home’s Therapeutic Recreation staff provides a wide range of activities for residents including:

  • movies
  • religious services
  • trips
  • parties
  • holiday celebrations
  • art & music therapy
  • shopping
  • discussion groups
  • intergenerational programs