1. Lauren MacDonald Recreation Therapist, CTRS Willa Sarty Recreation Therapy Associate

2. “Leisure, recreation and play are essential to health and wellness. Focusing on people’s strengths, recreation therapy engages people in a systematic process through which leisure is used as a primary tool in achieving health and wellness.” -TRAAC (2011)

3. Would You Rather…

4. Why is Leisure important? Leisure acts as a protective factor to health and well-being by connecting clients with; meaningful activity tools to build healthy and supportive relationship ongoing community opportunities inner strengths such as, confidence and self-efficacy stress management techniques coping skills the ability to feel a sense of purpose or identity (Caldwell, 2005)

5. Programs and services aimed to meet client needs Client focused Research Assessment Planning Implementing Documentation Evaluation Evidence-Based Best Practice

6. But really … How does it work? Leisure Education 1:1 Interventions Group Programs Community Outings

7. Who Benefits from Recreation Therapy? Recreation Therapy helps people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds get well, live well and stay well. Within Capital Health, RT services are provided in 12 different sites including: Long Term Care (Veteran’s Memorial Building) Transitional Care (VG and DGH) Nova Scotia Rehabilitation Centre Nova Scotia Hospital Abbie J. Lane East Coast Forensics Connections Club House New Beginnings Club House Geriatric Assessment Unit Geriatric Restorative Care Acute Care Addiction Prevention and Treatment Services  As well as the IWK

8. Diploma Program -Nova Scotia Community College, other colleges in Canada Degree Program -Dalhousie University, other Universities in Canada

9. Lauren’s Story! NSCC Diploma Therapeutic Assistant Recreation Therapy Associate (Acute care) Dalhousie Degree Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) Recreation Therapist at Addiction Prevention and Treatment Services (Community Based Services)

10. Programs Exploring Leisure Drop in Programs Creative Recovery Community Leisure Sampling Meet Up for Recreation Seasonal Retreats Individual Leisure Counseling Workshops Processes Registration vs. Sign up Open vs. Closed Commitment vs. Drop in Evening vs. Day Evaluation and feedback Co-facilitation (internal vs. external) Focus groups Integrated partnerships (acupuncture, stop smoking services, etc.) One Size Does Not Fit All

12. Willa’s Story! NSCC diploma program Nova Scotia Rehabilitation Centre Therapeutic Assistant Recreation Therapy Associate on the Transitional Care Unit

13. SundayMondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFridaySaturday 1. 2:00pm Creative Workshop: 6:00pm TGIT: Bowling 2.3. 2:00 pm Pet Visits: Donna & “Jasper” Afternoon Library Cart 4.5. 2:00 pm Pet Visits: Laura & “Simba” 5:45pm 4B Bingo with John & Joyce 6. 6:00 Mennonite Choir Hymn Sing 7. 10:30am Tim’s Club 8. 2:00pm Creative Workshop: 6:00pm TGIT: Thank Goodness it’s Thursday! 9. 10. 2:00 pm Pet Visits: Donna & “Jasper” Afternoon Library Cart 11. 12. 2:00 pm Pet Visits: Laura & “Simba” 5:45pm 4B Bingo with John & Joyce 13. 6:00pm Music with Tom 14. 10:30am Tim’s Club 15. 2:00pm Creative Workshop: 6:00pm St. Patrick’s Day Ceilidh 16. 17. 2:00 pm Pet Visits: Donna & “Jasper” Afternoon Library Cart 18. 19. 2:00 pm Pet Visits: Laura & “Simba” 5:45pm 4B Bingo with John & Joyce 20. 6:00pm Music with Joseph & Gary 21. 10:30am Tim’s Club 22. 2:00pm Creative Workshop: 6:00pm TGIT: Bowling 23. 24. 2:00 pm Pet Visits: Donna & “Jasper” Afternoon Library Cart 25. 26. 2:00 pm Pet Visits: Laura & “Simba” 5:45pm 4B Bingo with John & Joyce 27. 28. 10:30am Tim’s Club 2:00pm “Get to Know You” Social 29. 2:00pm Creative Workshop: 6:00pm TGIT: Thank Goodness it’s Thursday! 30.31. 2:00 pm Pet Visits: Donna & “Jasper” Afternoon Library Cart

16. Why not volunteer? http://www.cdha.nshealth.ca/giving-volunteering/volunteering

17. http://www.cdha.nshealth.ca/recreation-therapy http://www.dal.ca/academics/undergraduate_programs/rectherapeutic.h tml http://www.nscc.ca/learning_programs/programs/plandescr.aspx?prg=hu sv&pln=hs-therrec http://www.traac.ca/ http://www.nsrph.com/ http://www.nctrc.org/ http://www.canadian-tr.org/