Burcham Specific Recreation Therapy Services

Description of Services

Recreation Therapy facilitates the development, maintenance and expression of appropriate and individually satisfying leisure lifestyle for persons with physical, social, intellectual and/or emotional limitations. Recreational Therapy exists in three different domains: treatment, leisure education and recreation participation. Treatment emphasizes on the use of social modalities, therapeutic activities and physical skills during leisure pursuits. Leisure education focuses on counseling and community living skills to enable residents to gain maximal independence during recreation and leisure pursuits. Leisure education also focuses on the identification, location and use of leisure resources in the community, as well as recognition of the importance of leisure activities. Recreation participation focuses on the use of purposeful and meaningful programs and events to help provide a feeling of solace and contentment with leisure lifestyle.

At Burcham Hills, we have three (CTRS) Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists and three Recreation Specialist.

Recreation Therapy Treatment Programs

The Recreation Therapist provides a variety of interventions, which encompass many aspects of leisure. Several types of treatment are offered and designed to meet the needs, competencies, capabilities and interest of residents during leisure time. Group and individual treatment services are available to any/all residents in accordance with the physician's orders and the Recreational Therapy treatment plan. The specific services are goal-oriented and are directed toward the rehabilitation and/or modification of the resident's physical, cognitive, emotional and social functioning through leisure participation. The frequency of these sessions is determined by the specific needs of the individual resident and ultimately under the direction of the Recreational Therapist.

Treatment Services

Functional Skills Training: Motor/Cognitive

The purpose of a Functional Skills Group is to provide the opportunity for residents to develop and/or pursue leisure options. Most residents have, at some point in their lives, developed and pursued leisure interests. Recreational Therapy provides the opportunity for residents to be introduced to new activities, to continue pursuing previous interests while in the hospital setting and to make necessary adaptations to these activities, active games, arts & crafts (quilting, knitting and sewing), horticulture, cooking or may concentrate on cognitive games. This group strives to increase the resident's physical, cognitive and social functioning, improve their self-confidence and increase their awareness of leisure options.

Sample Plan Treatment

• To improve strength/endurance via (adapted aquatics/water exercising, walk club) and other fitness (Tai Chi, Yoga, exercise videos).
• To increase ability to perform progressively challenging cognitive tasks via premorbid interest areas.
• To improve skills in memory, attention to task and following three-step commands via cognitive re-training.

Leisure Education/Counseling

Leisure education/counseling provides direction and instruction in the use of leisure resources, time management, leisure attitudes and self-awareness. Many times, residents feel they have to give up activities as they age. Leisure education provides an opportunity for the resident to gain knowledge of what they "STILL CAN DO" by adapting the activities to the resident's skill and ability level. The recreational therapist provides groups of 1:1 leisure education and counseling services to the resident and/or family members. Special attention is given to increasing an understanding of leisure utilization options upon discharge.

Sample Treatment Plan

• To improve technical skills in premorbid areas of interested leisure. To increase skill using adapted equipment in leisure pursuits.
• To increase leisure awareness related to exploring new leisure activities.
• To increase knowledge of leisure resources within Burcham Hills.

Community Reintegration Training Services

Community Reintegration Training can be defined as any therapeutic intervention extending beyond the confines of the typical inpatient rehabilitation program, i.e. the nursing unit and the therapy areas. Community Reintegration Activities are conducted in order to maximize leisure activities, plan and organize information regarding these activities and demonstrate an awareness of and confidence in the use of the community resources. Community Reintegration Training assists patients in developing and reinforcing the skills necessary for a quality leisure lifestyle, while also smoothing the transition from the sub-acute hospital environment to the home and community environment upon discharge.

Sample Treatment Plan

• To improve community skills via community reintegration.
• To increase knowledge of ADA, access issues, resources, barrier management via community education.
• To demonstrate acceptance of disability status in a community setting by active participation in community re-entry program prior to discharge.
• To improve comfort level in community setting AEB managing environmental barriers (i.e. uneven surfaces, ramps, curbs, stairs, doorways, aisles, streets).

Social Skills Training/Adjustment Groups

Sample Treatment Plan

To adjust to social/emotional changes secondary to disability AEB stating appropriate coping techniques.

Stress Management Groups

• Patient/Family Education and Involvement
• Special Events
• Interdisciplinary Groups