KNR 273: Conceptual Foundations / TR Definitions

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KNR 273Conceptual Foundations / TR Definitions
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What is a conceptual foundation?Sylvester,
Voelkl, Ellis, 2001

• System of ideas that explains something at its
  most basic level. (p. 3)
• Ultimate source of explanation and justification
  upon which theory and practice are based. (p. 3)
• May change/evolve over time
• Basic beliefs should be clearly evident at any
  time

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What is a conceptual foundation?Sylvester,
Voelkl, Ellis, 2001

• Consists of principle and values a profession
  stand for and stands on. (p. 4)
• Rationale for existence as legitimate social
  institution
• Why does the profession exist?
• Why is it needed?
• What purpose does it serve?
• This is who we are and why we are here.
• Explains professions existence
• Guides theory and practice

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Conceptual Foundations for TR

• Leisure
• Recreation
• Play
• Freedom To
• Freedom From
• Why are these concepts important to the provision
  of TR services?

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Making a Case for Leisure

• Sylvester, Voelkl, Ellis, 2001
• The most socially legitimate justification for TR
  is derived from an orientation to leisure for
  purpose of health, well-being, and quality of
  life
• TR is not a medical specialty, it is a unique
  human service that complements, but does not
  duplicate medical services

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Making a Case (Cont.)

• If leisure were removed from TR, what would
  distinguish it from activity-based therapies,
  such as OT, PT, Music Therapy, and Art Therapy?
• Conceived solely as treatment, TR is
  indistinguishable from other activity therapies.
• We fail to see an adequate social justification
  for TR without a clear and direct association
  with leisure

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Making a Case (Cont.)

• Leisure affords opportunity for activity, which
  has been credited as an effective means for
  meeting the adaptive needs of human beings.
• Perhaps leisure activity can best be viewed as a
  stimulus to health vs. a cure for disease
• TR lacks justification if this is the only reason
  for its existence

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Making a Case (Cont.)

• Leisure contributes to a greater sense of
  well-being
• The opportunity of leisure is necessary for
  meeting the creativeexpressive needs of clients
• Leisure is a flexible medium for helping persons
  with illnesses and disabilities to reintegrate
  into community life

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Making a Case (Cont.)

• The social institution of leisure is an avenue
  for addressing structural deficiencies that
  affect the health and well-being of individuals
• Leisure is a significant contributor to quality
  of life, which is being recognized as the
  overarching goal of rehabilitation

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Making a Case (Cont.)

• All people, including persons receiving
  healthcare, have the right to leisure for the
  purposes of health, well-being, and quality of
  life
• Any theory of caring for persons who are ill or
  injured that does not include a prominent role
  for leisure and TR service is socially limited
  and morally impoverished. (p. 33)

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Benefits of LeisureStumbo Peterson, 2009

• Physical Health
• Decrease health problems
• Decrease morbidity
• Decrease obesity
• Prevent health problems
• Increase general health and fitness
• Decrease secondary disabilities
• And more

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Benefits of LeisureStumbo Peterson, 2009

• Emotional and Psychological Health
• Prevent, manage, and cope with stress
• Immediate distraction
• Temporary relief escape
• Return to normalcy
• Increase positive moods
• Decrease anxiety and depression
• Increase quality of life well being
• Adjust to negative life events
• And others

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Benefits of LeisureStumbo Peterson, 2009

• Social Health
• Develop and practice social interaction skills
• Develop and use social support networks
• Create positive relationships with others
• Improve family relationships
• Increase involvement in community
• And others

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Benefits of LeisureStumbo Peterson, 2009

• See page 12
• And others

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Barriers to LeisureStumbo Peterson, 2004

• See page 11

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Leisure LifestyleStumbo Peterson, 2009

• People express their lifestyle through the
  choices they make
• Leisure is a component of a persons overall
  lifestyle
• Leisure can improve a persons overall lifestyle
• Will discuss more later

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Leisure LifestyleStumbo Peterson, 2009

• People express their lifestyle through the
  choices they make
• Leisure is a component of a persons overall
  lifestyle
• Leisure can improve a persons overall lifestyle
• Will discuss more later

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What is Therapeutic Recreation?

• Your understanding
• NTRS 1982
• Purpose is to facilitate the development,
  maintenance, and expression of an appropriate
  leisure lifestyle for individuals with physical,
  mental, social or emotional limitations.

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Definitions of TR (Cont.)

• NTRS, 1994
• Practiced in clinical, residential, and community
  settings, the profession of therapeutic
  recreation uses treatment, education, and
  recreation services to help people with
  illnesses, disabilities, and other conditions to
  develop and use their leisure in ways that
  enhance their health, independence, and
  well-being.

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Definitions of TR (Cont.)

• NTRS 2000
• Therapeutic recreation uses treatment, education,
  and recreation services to help people with
  illnesses, disabilities, and other conditions to
  develop and use their leisure in ways that
  enhance their health, functional abilities,
  independence, and quality of life.

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Definitions of TR (Cont.)

• ATRA 1986
• Therapeutic recreation is the provision of
  treatment services and the provision of
  recreation services to persons with illness or
  disabling conditions.
• The primary purpose of treatment services, which
  is often referred to as recreation therapy, is to
  restore, remediate or rehabilitate in order to
  improve functioning and independence as well as
  reduce or eliminate the effects of illness or
  disability.
• The primary purpose of recreation services is to
  provide recreation resources and opportunities in
  order to improve health and well-being.

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Definitions of TR (Cont.)

• ATRA 1986 (cont.)
• Therapeutic Recreation is provided by
  professionals who are trained and certified,
  registered and/or licensed to provide Therapeutic
  Recreation.

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Definitions of TR (Cont.)

• "Recreational Therapy means a treatment service
  designed to restore, remediate and rehabilitate a
  persons level of functioning and independence in
  life activities, to promote health and wellness
  as well as reduce or eliminate the activity
  limitations and restrictions to participation in
  life situations caused by an illness or disabling
  condition.
• Revised by ATRA Board of Directors July 2009

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Definitions of TR (Cont.)

• The primary purpose of recreation therapy
  practice is to improve health and quality of life
  by reducing impairments of body function and
  structure, reducing activity limitations,
  participation restrictions, and environmental
  barriers of the clients served. The ultimate
  goal of recreation therapy is to facilitate full
  and optimal involvement in community life.
• Accepted by the Boards of Directors of ATRA,
  NTRS, and NCTRC, 2004

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Definitions of TR (Cont.)

• TR is a profession which recognizes leisure,
  recreation, and play as integral components of
  quality of life. Service is provided to
  individuals who have physical, mental, social, or
  emotional limitations which impact their ability
  to engage in meaningful leisure experiences. TR
  is directed toward functional interventions,
  leisure education, and participation
  opportunities. These processes support the goal
  of assisting the individual to maximize
  independence in leisure, optimal health, and the
  highest possible quality of life.
• Canadian Therapeutic Recreation Association, 2008

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Definitions of TR (Cont.)

• Therapeutic recreation is the purposeful
  utilization or enhancement of leisure as a way to
  maximize a persons overall health, well-being,
  or quality of life.
• Robertson Long, 2008

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Definitions of TR (Cont.)

• Therapeutic recreation is the purposeful and
  careful facilitation of quality leisure
  experiences and the development of personal and
  environmental strengths, which lead to greater
  well-being for people who, due to illness,
  disability, or other life circumstances, need
  individualized assistance in achieving their
  goals and dreams.
• Anderson Heyne, 2012

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Definitions of TR (Cont.)

• Klitzing 2004
• TR uses recreation or other related
  interventions, techniques, or services to
  increase the quality of life, as it relates to
  leisure, of people with disabilities, illnesses,
  or other limitations
• TR practice uses the TR Process
• TR practice is based on a TR model

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Student Definition

• TR is the use of recreation or leisure activities
  to help people with disabilities, illnesses, or
  conditions learn, grow, and adapt in the
  environment they are given while enhancing their
  quality of life, health, and functional
  abilities.
• Burger, 2007