February is Therapeutic Recreation Month!

Therapeutic recreation, also known as recreation therapy, is a health profession that aims to optimize wellness through evidence-informed leisure and recreation programs. Recreation therapy has many benefits and can help maintain and maximize emotional, physical, cognitive, social, and spiritual well-being.

This month, we are highlighting our therapeutic recreation programs and celebrating our compassionate and talented recreation therapy teams who go above and beyond to put our residents first. 

“Recreation’s purpose is not to kill time, but to make life. Not to keep a person occupied, but to keep them refreshed. Not to offer an escape, but to provide life.” – Alberta Therapeutic Recreation Association

Therapeutic recreation focuses on an individual’s strengths, abilities, and interests. Our recreation therapy teams spend time getting to know each resident and what their interests, skills, and passions are, so they can tailor their programming to meet the needs and abilities of each individual.

“We meet people where they are on their wellness journey and remove barriers by adapting programming to meet their leisure interests, needs and abilities,” said Sherry Little, manager of therapeutic recreation at Tudor Manor. “Therapeutic recreation sees the person as a whole, and focuses on physical, intellectual, spiritual, social, and emotional wellness.”

Another important aspect of therapeutic recreation is that it can help people deal with stress and adjust to changes in their lives, such as the transition of moving to a new home.

“Often, when a resident first moves into a care home, they feel like they’ve lost a piece of who they were, not only with their independence and wellness, but in their daily routines, their connections, their home,” said Sherry. “A main part of the recreation therapy role is to help restore these losses and provide opportunities for the resident to feel whole again. Therapeutic recreation provides residents opportunities to participate in groups and one-to-one in their current leisure interests and also introduces them to fun new experiences.”

Recreation therapy can also encourage and empower people to pursue new experiences and continue discovering new interests and hobbies.

“Therapeutic recreation is important for our residents because it supports leisure discovery and exploration, improves quality of life, and creates opportunities for empowerment and socialization,” said Stephanie Riley, manager of therapeutic recreation at Clifton House.

For Tudor Manor resident, Pearl, the BSF's recreation therapy program helped her to discover drumming. Prior to moving to the BSF, she had not had the opportunity to participate in a drumming circle, but when she started attending the drumming circles at Tudor Manor she knew that she had found a new passion.  

“Drumming is a nice thing to do. I just like the sound. There is good company, we all work together, and it helps you relax,” said Pearl.    

At the BSF, we offer our residents a wide range of recreational programming. From drumming circles and exercise classes, movie nights and spa days, to concerts and live performances, there are activities for everyone to enjoy.

Are you interested in getting involved with therapeutic recreation at the BSF? There are many exciting volunteer roles and opportunities available at each of our sites. Volunteers are important members of our therapeutic recreation teams, helping enhance and enrich the lives of our residents. To learn more about volunteering at the BSF, visit https://thebsf.ca/get-involved/volunteer.html.