What is Recretional Therapy and Therapeutic Recreation

Official Definitions

 

Therapeutic Recreation

According to the National Therapeutic Recreation Society, therapeutic recreation is a professional service, delivered in clinical and community meetings, that facilitates leisure, recreation and play for people with physical, mental, emotional or social limitations in order to promote their health and well-being.  Services are intended to develop skills and knowledge, to foster values and attitudes, and to maximize independence by decreasing barriers and by increasing ability and opportunity.

Approved 1994

 

Recreational Therapy

According to the American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA), Recreational Therapy is a treatment service designed to restore, remediate and rehabilitate a person’s level of functioning and independence in life activities, to promote health and wellness as well as reduce or eliminate the activity limitations and restrictions to participation in life situations caused by an illness or disabling condition.

Revised July 2009

 

Why would you want to participate in RT/TR

 

Research shows that people with active, satisfying lives are happier and healthier.  RT/TR aims to improve a person's function to keep them as active, healthy and independent as possible in their chosen pursuits by providing services that allow clients to better engage in therapy and generalize functional improvements to all areas of their lives after the health care team is no longer involved resulting in improved health and wellness.

 

Who are RT/TR consumers

 

RT/TR clients include a wide variety of people that need health care services including:

• Geriatrics
• Mental health
• Addictions
• Oncology
• Physical rehabilitation
• Pediatrics
• Hospice

 

Clients also include people who:

• Have developmental disabilities
• Are in the corrections system
• Are in the school system
• Need assistance participating in recreational activities

 

Where can you find RT/TR services

 

Recreational therapists and therapeutic recreation specialists work in many places:

• Hospitals
• Rehabilitation facilities
• Community mental health programs
• Residential facilities
• Nursing homes
• Assisted living centers
• Adult day health programs
• Schools
• Correctional facilities
• Community recreation programs
• Substance abuse centers
• Hospice programs
• Aquatic programs

 

In addition, many therapists and specialists are moving into private practice, providing in-home care and therapy within the community, as well as consulting services.

 

Duties of a Therapist

 

Therapists use a wide variety of interventions derived from community, leisure and recreational activities, to improve the physical, cognitive, emotional and social functioning of their clients.  According to ATRA, recreational therapists[and therapeutic recreation specialists] assist clients to develop skills, knowledge, and behaviors for daily living and community involvement.  The therapist works with the client, their family and significant others to incorporate specific interests and community resources into therapy to achieve optimal outcomes that transfer to their real life situation.

 

The unique feature of RT [and TR] that makes it different from other therapies is the use of [community, leisure and] recreational [activities] in the designed intervention strategies.  Therapy is individualized to each person by his/her past, present and future interests and lifestyle.  Incorporating the client's interests, and the client's family, significant others and/or community, makes the therapy process meaningful and relevant.

 

The recreational therapist [and therapeutic recrecreation specialist] has a unique perspective regarding the physical, cognition, emotional and social needs of the client.  Recreational therapists [and therapeutic recreation specialists] weave the concept of healthy living into treatment to ensure not only improved functioning, but also to enhance independence and successful involvement in all aspects of life.

 

Who says RT/TR is important

 

• RT is listed as a rehabilitation therapy service in The Joint Commission standards.
• Recreational therapists are designated as treatment team members (based upon the client's need) in the acute brain injury, post-acute brain injury and inpatient rehabilitation standards of the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities.
• The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services includes RT in the mix of treatment and rehabilitation services used to determine federal compliance in skilled nursing, physical and psychiatric rehabilitation and long-term care facilities.
• TR is specifically indicated as a related Service under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.