Therapeutic Recreation for 2024
- What factors have contributed to the interpretation of Therapeutic Recreation?
Therapeutic recreation uses recreational and other types of activity-based interventions to promote the health, recovery, and general wellbeing of an individual with an illness or a disabling condition (Carter & Van, 2020). The goal of this therapeutic model is to maintain or improve the physical, emotional, cognitive, spiritual, and social functioning (Carter & Van, 2020). Thus, therapeutic recreation is concerned with the overall wellbeing of individuals.
- What makes the field of therapeutic recreation unique? Explain your answer.
The field of therapeutic recreation is unique in the sense that it involves not only the body, but also the mind and the soul (Carter & Van, 2020). The recreational activities that this therapy uses give clients an opportunity to reflect on the benefits of various physical experiences.
- Identify and discuss the similarities and differences among only 4 of the various practice models.
There are several therapeutic recreation practice models. These include the leisure ability model, leisure and well-being model (LWM), Aristotelian Good Life Model (AGL), and the health promotion model. All these models have the same goal of enhancing the overall health and wellbeing of the client (Carter & Van, 2020). The leisure ability model and the LWM hold that independence in leisure activities leads to enjoyment and feelings of accomplishment. The AGL model focuses on what can make a given client happy. The health promotion model is concerned with strategies that can be used to improve the condition of the client (Carter & Van, 2020).
- According to the various models, what are the primary treatment or intervention outcomes that programs seek to achieve? Giver examples of how each is used in a given setting.
The main treatment outcome that therapeutic recreation programs seek to achieve is improvement of the health as well as the wellness of clients (Carter & Van, 2020). For instance, the health promotion model emphasizes on enhancement of one’s condition as stated above. For a client who has a disabling condition, simple exercise activities such as kicking a ball can help to improve his or her functioning ability. The AGL focuses on achievement of wellbeing through happiness. For example, giving a client a puzzle that is not easy to master can help to achieve this. Once the client solves it, he or she can feel happy and satisfied. This can be important for his or her health.
- Interpret each of the three (3) goals identified in Van Andel’s Outcome model. What are examples of evidence for the three outcomes?
i.) Functional capacity: refers to an individual’s strengths in various domains of health (Carter & Van, 2020). Examples include physical, mental, psychological, social, and spiritual domains.
ii.) Quality of life: refers to one’s level of satisfaction, contentment, and self-determination (Carter & Van, 2020). An example is finding the purpose in life.
iii.) Optimal health: refers to a state of overall wellness (Carter & Van, 2020). An example is being able to remain alert in various family relationships despite having a terminal health condition.
- According to the Service Delivery model, what are the four service components used in the comprehensive recreational therapy practice?
The four service components mainly utilized in comprehensive recreational therapy practice include:
i.) Needs assessment.
ii.) Treatment.
iii.) Prevention.
iv.) Health education.
(Carter & Van, 2020)
Reference:
Carter, M. J., & Van, A. G. E. (2020). Therapeutic Recreation: A Practical Approach, 5th edition. Long Grove, Illinois: Waveland Press.
