February is Therapeutic Recreation Awareness Month in Canada. It is observed to spread awareness about the significant role of therapeutic recreation in living a healthy life.
According to the Canadian Therapeutic Recreation Association (CTRA), recreation therapy is critical because:
- It is inclusive and supportive.
- It is evidence-based.
- It provides an opportunity to create a connection.
- It provides an opportunity for self-discovery.
CTRA believes therapeutic recreation has several social and cognitive benefits. For instance, it develops and maintains social skills, increases community involvement, decreases social isolation, increases attention span, improves cognition levels, increases social support systems, etc.
Therapeutic Recreation Awareness Month, also known as Recreation Therapy Month, also provides an excellent opportunity for professional health organisations to share new research.
For instance, according to Alzheimer Society Canada, therapeutic recreation therapy can help people with dementia since research indicates that it helps decrease the disease’s progression by keeping people active and stimulated.
Therapeutic Recreation Awareness Month: How it all started?
In 2012, the American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA) for the first time proclaimed February as Therapeutic Recreation Awareness Month. The core aim of observing this month was to appreciate new research in this field so that the professionals associated with this field could work more enthusiastically and continue to help patients who really need their expertise.
Later, the Canadian Therapeutic Recreation Association took it up and started organising events during this month to raise awareness about the significant role of therapeutic recreation in the lives of patients.
Therapeutic Recreation Awareness Month is also helpful for healthcare professionals
Therapeutic Recreation Awareness Month also provides an opportunity for professionals like therapists and recreation therapy assistants to take care of their own health. This month is critical because those who help patients also need time to reflect on their own work, schedules, and work-life balance so that they get enough time to recharge as well.
It is critical for health professionals to take out time for themselves so that they can then revitalise and take care of their physical and mental health. People who are employed in the health care sector particularly need leisure activities to revive their energy so that they can provide their best to the patients.
Therapeutic Recreation: What these professionals do and how it helps patients?
The field of therapeutic recreation acknowledges play, leisure, and recreation as essential elements of a healthy lifestyle. People who are unable to participate in meaningful leisure activities due to physical, mental, social, or emotional constraints are served.
The goals of therapeutic recreation are participation opportunities, leisure education, and functional interventions. These procedures serve the objective of helping the person achieve the best possible quality of life, maximum independence in leisure, and optimal health.
Recreation therapists and assistants assess using various therapeutic recreation assessment tools, plan client transition and discharge, develop treatment plans, and conduct ongoing reporting and evaluating of programs and goals, and implement individual/group evidence-based interventions, etc.
Therapeutic recreation professionals work in long-term care, acute care, supportive living, day programs, mental health and addiction services, paediatric, youth, and adolescent services, correctional facilities, private practice, schools, etc.
Conclusion
The benefits of therapeutic recreation go beyond a month or two. On this Therapeutic Recreation Awareness Month, let’s reflect on the crucial role of healthcare professionals in our daily lives.
Therapeutic recreation is increasingly playing a significant role in the healthcare sector. Experts say there has been a renewed interest in therapeutic recreation after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lockdowns during the pandemic crippled everyday life and also complicated the lives of patients who were living with health conditions. Lack of avenues for outdoor activities, lack of human interaction, and a sense of isolation and insecurity all contributed to the mental and physical health problems during the pandemic.
Join the Therapeutic Recreation Activity Assistant Program at Edison College
If you are interested in Therapeutic Recreation Awareness Month and you also want to take a diploma in this field, then you can check out Edison College’s 6-month Therapeutic Recreation Activity Assistant Diploma Program.
This hybrid recreation aide course also has a 6-week practicum in Victoria, British Columbia.
The program participants will receive practical experience through practicum and learn how to handle supervised activities for people who need help and those who have cognitive and physical challenges, etc.
In this therapeutic recreation activity program, students will learn how to improve the quality of life of their patients through different recreational activities such as sports and other physical activities, etc.
If you have questions or concerns or you need career guidance, then you can contact us for more information.
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