Therapeutic Recreation for People With Disabilities

A physical disability no longer means the end of physical activity. There are many types of therapeutic recreation for people who have all types of physical disabilities so they can continue to enjoy all that life has to offer while strengthening their bodies.

Physical disabilities can’t stop you

When someone develops a physical disability, life changes in many ways, but if affects each person differently. If the disability is severe, it may mean an end to many of the activities that the person previously enjoyed, especially intense ones. If someone was is an athlete or strong exerciser, the disability could be crushing.

In the past, this kind of disability often meant the end of intense sports and exercise. After all, how could someone with a prosthesis or the inability to walk perform these kinds of activities?

However, today, things have changed, and there are many types of therapeutic recreation that allow people with disabilities to do regular physical activities, intense sports, and even extreme sports.

Taking therapeutic recreation to the next level

People with physical disabilities usually have a physical therapy routine that they attend to once or a few times a week. While these exercises focus on strengthening the muscles and giving the patient more physical independence, patients can engage in therapeutic recreation that focuses on improving their physical and mental health through enjoyable activities that aid in recovery.

Therapeutic recreation is done with a recreational therapist who is trained and certified in offering this type of therapy and working with people who have disabilities.

Many of the activities that are offered through therapeutic recreation are performed in a skilled nursing facility, who has one or more therapists on staff and may offer a variety of therapeutic activities. Some examples are:

  • Arts and crafts
  • Gardening
  • Cooking and baking
  • Aerobic exercise
  • Games

Sometimes the therapist may work one on one with the patient, whereas other times she may work with people in a group. The advantage of working one on one is the time and focus spent on one person’s strengths and goals, and the advantages of working in a group are the social outlet the patient and the group motivation toward success.

Moving to the outdoors

There are organizations that offer therapeutic recreation in an outdoor environment and make extreme sports possible for those with physical disabilities. These organizations are set up with many kinds of accessories and devices that are adapted to the members so that they, too, can participate in intense sports and exercises. These can go so far as to include skiing, mountain climbing, and almost anything else that a sports enthusiast would want to do. These activities can be a huge comfort for patients and make them feel like they can enjoy life again, and that anything is possible. The physical and emotional benefits are priceless.

The facility where you receive therapeutic recreation services, such as Hudson View Center for Rehabilitation, can refer you to your local associations that offer high level sporting activities for the next level in therapeutic recreation.

 

 

 

Leave a Comment