Quality of Life is The Goal
of Therapeutic Recreation.

Fran Wehlage, therapeutic recreation specialist

Ball Memorial Hospital

 Q. What is Therapeutic Recreation?

A. Therapeutic Recreation (TR) involves using recreation services and experiences to help people with limitations make the most of their lives. The programs are designed to assist those who must cope with a change in their lifestyle, especially after an illness or injury such as stroke, hip/knee replacement, general weakness, spinal cord injuries or other orthopedic injuries or decline in health because of the aging process.

Q. What is the goal Therapeutic Recreation?

A. Quality of life is our purpose for our patients. Knowing what their needs are and finding out how to support the patient and the family as they continue to engage and enjoy meaningful leisure and recreational activities are the top priority. So our focus is on the needs of the entire person, their family and their social physical and emotional well-being. Therapeutic Recreation can help people of all ages to develop new interests, learn new approaches and enrich quality of life.

Q. So what is an example of a normal Therapeutic Recreation session?

A. Initial sessions begin with assessment and exploring a patient’s goals. The TR program at Ball Memorial Hospital offers them an avenue to spend time outside, on the computer, buying groceries or cooking. The staff finds out what it is patients enjoy doing and what they need to be able to do and cater to each patient’s specific needs.

We try to offer opportunities for people with disabilities and provide resources for them such as filling out an application to ride the MITS Plus system or connect them with Lifestreams for transportation, anything that will enable a person to enjoy being independent by getting around in the community with confidence. We want each person who comes through the program to get well, live well and stay well.

For more information on Therapeutic Recreation programs offered locally, contact Fran at (765) 747-3784 or info@chsmail.org.

If you have a question regarding this article, email info@chsmail.org.

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