Include TR in your community

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE IN RT/TR?

• Recreation Therapy: Refers to the field of study in recreation; the process that one would undergo to receive services and functional improvement in the 5 domain areas. 
• Therapeutic Recreation: Refers to the specialized APPLICATION of recreation and experiential activities or interventions that assist in maintaining or improving the health status, functional capabilities, and ultimately the quality of life. 
• Recreation Therapist: Refers to the qualified provider that facilitates assessed needs and interventions. 
• Activity Therapist: A facilitator providing a recreational experience through scheduled leisure activities.

HOW TO INCREASE LEISURE INTERACTION AMONG POPULATION SERVED?

As a CTRS, one important factor to remember is that “one size fit all” is NOT a productive approach to services. It would require the following 3 Functional Interventions:

• Leisure Awareness - Making them aware of what’s available to them in leisure, recreation, community & lifestyle. 
• Leisure Education - Educating them on the benefits of the various leisure options chosen. 
• Recreation Participation - Ultimately allowing them the autonomy to actively engage in the activity to determine influenced feelings and perceptions towards the overall leisure experience.

The APIED process (Assessment, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation and Documentation) will determine the efficiency of the leisure experience all while allowing room for adjustments in services rendered.

HOW CAN WE INCORPORATE PLAY INTO THE COMMUNITY?

Creating Community Networks

Explore your local area to gage what is available and appropriate for your target population. 

Find a POC for the organization and request a meeting with them to learn more. This can be done through any communication platform. 

Attend events sponsored by the identified organization.. Use EVERY event as an opportunity for other community members to learn more about the program and the population. 

Attending & actively engaging in network events, conferences and seminars are also ways to create professional relationships where collaborative ideas can be shared to assist all involved.

Sustaining Community Networks

Consistent communication through whatever method is conducive for the community partner.

Convey any adjustments or changes that may impact how frequent services are rendered. 

Be flexible in how services are provided. 

Provide feedback in reference to how services are impacting the population 

Plan collaborative services in quarterly increments to reduce influx and burnout. 

Be patient with the process as collaboration would require an understanding from both the organization and the community partner.

HOW DOES IT WORK? THE APIE-D PROCESS

Assessment

What areas are needed to bridge gap in services? 

Plan 

Collaborate with organizations to bring awareness and services conducive for the population. 

Implement

Services rendered to population 

Evaluate

Outcome of participation, suitability and accessibility of the program.

Document

Sustainability and/or modification in collaborative services

INCORPORATING PLAY & LEISURE IN MENTAL HEALTH

There are various ways one can incorporate play when dealing with a population with complexed mental health diagnosis/needs. These are to include but are not limited to:

• Dance Aerobics 
• (Oculus Quest)Virtual Games
• Card/board Games & Tournaments 
• Yoga
• Movie Nights 
• Relaxation Therapy
• Expressive Arts 
• Horticulture Therapy
• Karaoke 
• Social Gatherings
• Aroma Therapy 
• Aquatics Therapy