A History of Recreational Therapy
According to the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation (NCTRC), recreational therapy or therapeutic recreation is a systematic process that utilizes recreation (leisure) and other activities as interventions to address the assessed needs of individuals with illnesses and/or disabling conditions, as a means to psychological and physical health, recovery, and well-being. Recreational Therapy as a profession can be traced as far back as the 1850s when Florence Nightingale suggested that recreational experiences could make a positive difference in the human condition.
Though agencies began to hire recreational therapists in the 1930s, it wasn’t until the 40s or 50s that professional organizations were formed to help elevate the profession and provide a framework on which therapists could base their treatments. With the advent of some organizations such as the American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA), and National Therapeutic Recreation Society (NTRS-dissolved in 2010), the field developed a standardized course of study which included a bachelor’s degree in a healthcare field, internships, certification, followed by continuing education.
Credentialing professionals began in 1956, but NCTRC became the officially recognized organization for the certification process in 1981. According to their website, there are over 19,000 professionals in their database.
Laura’s Journey
Laura Rayer, BS, CTRS always knew that she wanted to help others. When she embarked on her college journey, her degree path was special education. As she continued her studies and student teaching, she realized that her talents were better suited to the emerging field of Recreational Therapy. Laura graduated from Eastern Michigan University in 1992 with a Bachelor of Science degree and quickly earned her certification as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS).
Working as a CTRS, Laura developed a 7-day curriculum for a skilled nursing facility in Livonia where she worked for 24 years. St. Louis Center hired Laura as Activities Coordinator in August 2020 to build a program to provide therapeutic interventions for the well-being of the residents in the wake of COVID-19 lockdowns. Laura visited every house on campus to offer and provide group and individual activities based on resident’s interests and abilities.
In her time at the Center, Laura has developed a routine activity schedule for the residents that they look forward to each week. From her Montessori-inspired training, Laura continues to offer the residents choices and opportunities to increase their levels of functioning and help them achieve their personal goals.
Activities
Through a variety of arts, crafts, cooking, games, music, and larger “all-campus” activities in the gym, or outside as weather permits, Laura helps to maintain the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of the residents. Her program aims to reduce depression, stress, and anxiety; recover basic motor functioning and reasoning abilities; and build confidence. During each activity, she helps them to improve their social skills.
Benefits
A favorite activity of the older adults is bowling. Laura can hardly set the pins up fast enough for the eager residents. Bowling challenges them in several ways. They need good hand-eye coordination and patience when waiting for their turn to bowl with other residents. They love having a copy of their bowling scores to show to their friends and family.
The residents also enjoy bingo, food preparation, coloring, painting, and larger activities in the gym.
As a result of Laura’s activities program, the residents have boosted their self-confidence, enhanced their social skills, and are more likely to engage in daily life activities.
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