Therapeutic Recreation Month - Meet Laura
What is your name and what is your position at Green Acres Foundation?
Laura – Recreation Therapist
How long have you worked at Green Acres?
11 Years
How would you describe or summarize the occupation of a recreation therapist to someone who has never heard of it?
Recreation therapy helps people minimize or remove barriers in their life to help them participate and enjoy healthy leisure activities. This allows people to experience joy through leisure which helps promote a better quality of life.
Why is recreation therapy important for seniors?
Recreation Therapy is important because it helps improve or maintain leisure skills. It improves socialization which minimizes loneliness and depression in seniors. It provides opportunities for our residents to participate in activities that keep them challenged and stimulated within their personal comfort zone.
What do you love most about your job?
I love watching residents participate and enjoy a new activity, or feel pride or accomplishment after completing something they didn’t think they could.
Any activities that were successful or unique that you would like to share?
Our residents really enjoy the step by step paintings and sip and paints that we offer monthly. Many residents who thought they weren’t artistic or creative are amazed at how good their paintings turn out. It’s great to watch how proud the residents are of their finished work as they show it off to other residents and family members.
Since February is Recreation Therapy Month, is there anything you would like to share or add to the conversation?
It’s important for everybody, no matter their age or ability, to find time to balance leisure with work and family. Healthy leisure habits promote a better quality of life for us all.
“It’s important for everybody, no matter their age or ability to find time to balance leisure with work and family. Healthy leisure habits promote a better quality of life for us all. ”
