Recreational Therapy Dementia Practice Guidelines

Conference held at Belmont Center for Comprehensive Treatment on October 16, 2003

American Therapeutic Recreation Association, G.T. Thompson M.Ed., CTRS

Outcomes of Recreational Therapy Interventions with Older Adults

The health care needs of older adults are an emerging national priority, and will continue to make significant demands upon the health care system, as well as to present challenges to providers to offer effective and cost-efficient care. Data indicate that an average of $5,360 per older adult are expended each year in health care costs.

What is recreation therapy anyway???

• Uses recreational interventions to change behavior or improve function.
• Individualized to meet needs.
• Outcome based, physician ordered, and time limited.
• NOT the same as nursing home activities

At-Home Recreation Therapy for older adults with dementia

• Research shows at-home recreational therapy:
• Improves behaviors
• Improves mood
• Provides caregivers with relief
• Keeps people with dementia home longer

Recreation Therapy is a efficacious treatment option for depression

• Two weeks of treatment
• 10 weeks of maintenance
• Depression levels were significantly improved in participants with dementia.

Duet Wheelchair bicycle

• The Duet bike is a modified tandem bicycle manufactured in Germany by Robert Hoening GmbH.
• Most found in Europe
  • More progressive with alternative transportation
  • More progressive with disability products
• Proven effective in 3 separate studies for depression in nursing home residents with dementia.

Active Psychosocial Interventions for Passivity

Cognitive Stimulation through leisure activities

Simple Pleasures: sensory motor activities

Morning Walking Programs

• Endurance
• Supervised walking
• Lower extremity strength

Lifting water jug weights - Exercise for Function

• Exercise for strength and flexibility
• Sensory Stimulation
• Fun with others

Ways Recreational Therapy uses Human-Animal Interaction

• Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT)
• Animal-Assisted Activities
• Service Dog Programs
• Pet Partners Programs

Animal Assisted Therapy for Loneliness in the Nursing Home

RT for behaviors:

• Wandering
• Vocalizing
• Apathy/Passivity
• Agitation
• Responding to hallucinations/delusions
• Fighting or resisting care

Prescribing recreation therapy for Behaviors

• Under stimulated or Over stimulated
• Immobile or Passive
• Motor Restless
• Anxious or Stressed
• Depressed
• In pain or with recent illness
• Medication changes

Prescribing recreation therapy for Behaviors

• Under stimulated or Over stimulated
• Immobile or Passive
• Motor Restless
• Anxious or Stressed
• Depressed
• In pain or with recent illness
• Medication changes

Purpose

To describe strategies for integrating recreational therapy into the care and treatment of older adults with dementia and disturbing behaviors

Return to: Mental Health and Aging: October 16, 2003 Conference, Introductory page