Seniors Month: How Therapeutic Recreation helps older adults and seniors maintain brain health
June is Seniors Month in Ontario and this year’s theme is “Working for Seniors.” Recreation Therapy at St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton play an important role in supporting older adult and senior patients by promoting, restoring, improving and maintaining quality of life and well-being.
Therapeutic Recreation at the Charlton, West 5th and Satellite Health Facility (SHF) campuses provides individual and group activities to older adult and senior patients at St. Joe’s. Patients can spend extended time in hospital and Recreation Therapy provides critical cognitive stimulation to support their function.
“Group activities and can include things like playing Jeopardy, Cranium Crunches or Wheel of Fortune to support socialization and building relationships,” said Susy Marrone Professional Practice Advisor for Therapeutic Recreation for Charlton and SHF.
Recreation Therapy addresses social, emotional, physical, spiritual and cognitive domains of health. This type of group therapy is aimed at older adults and seniors to improve cognition and maintain brain health.
“We take a holistic approach to help individuals to acquire or maintain the skills, knowledge and behaviours that will allow them to improve their quality of life, reach their optimal level of functioning and maximize their independence in all areas of recreation and leisure,” said Susy.
Recently, a few patients participating in a cognitive recreation group activity with Sherri Llewellyn, Registered Therapeutic Recreation Ontario (R/RTRO) on the Complex Care and Rehabilitation unit, were asked what having the opportunity to participate meant to them as it related to healthy living. Here’s what they had to say:
“I enjoy being with people.”
“The groups got me out of my depressive state of mind.”
“Benefitted me mentally.”
“I have enjoyed all of the programs.”
“The programs engage people in all stages and interests.”
“A lot of fun!”
“So many benefits- social, cognitive, mental.”
“The physical presence of being around others and not being in my room alone.”
“Staff are super friendly and motivating!”
“I have enjoyed the friendships we form in groups.”
“The staff are imaginative and creative with different crafts and activities.”
Click here to read the Professional Advisory Committee Annual Report of Health Disciplines (2022-23) to learn more about the achievements of St. Joe’s Therapeutic Recreation team.