Scope of service and FAQs
What do Recreational Therapists do?
A Recreational Therapist works with an individual’s own interests and passions to improve their functioning and ultimately their quality of life. From a clinical perspective, we are utilizing a wide range of activity and community-based interventions and techniques to improve the physical, cognitive, emotional, social, leisure and community status of our clients. We assist clients in developing skills, knowledge and behaviors to optimize their productive activity, daily living and community involvement. The therapist works with the client and their family to incorporate specific interests and community resources into therapy to achieve optimal outcomes that transfer to their real-life situation.
Why is Recreational Therapy important for you, your loved one or your clients?
Research supports the concept that people with active, satisfying lifestyles will be happier and healthier. Recreational Therapy provides services which are based on the individuals' interests and lifestyle which allows them to better engage in therapy and apply these functional improvements to all areas of their life. Ultimately, it allows them to generalize their therapeutic outcomes to their life resulting in greater health maintenance over time. Recreational Therapy aims to improve an individual's functioning and keep them as active, healthy and independent as possible in their chosen life pursuits.
Which clients does HCRT work with?
HCRT specialized in client’s with Neurological injuries. Most of our clients have Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) or Spinal Cord Injuries (SCIs) and some have complex orthopedic injuries. Recreational Therapists are uniquely able to effect change with client’s who have lost the ability to participate in leisure and community activities they previously enjoyed. We are able to reintegrate clients back into the community while focusing on functional skills and making the session fun and enjoyable. Therapists also incorporate adaptations to activities and leisure that we are uniquely qualified to perform based on our education and training.
Due to each client having very individual needs, we treat everyone uniquely and we always consider each referral on a case by case basis. Due to the specialized environments we utilize and dynamic community services, we currently except the vast majority of clients with Traumatic Brain Injury and Spinal Cord Injury C4 and below who are not ventilator dependent regardless of etiology. Clients should also be medically stable and not deemed a risk to themselves or others.
How are Recreational Therapy services different from other therapies?
A Recreational Therapist embraces the entire person and focuses on all arenas seeking improvement. We will often work cooperatively with other therapies and extend their goals to working on them in a community setting and, in a fun, but functional way. In general, a physical therapist tends to focus on physical functioning, movement and skills, a speech therapist focuses on communication and cognition and an occupational therapist deals with activities of daily living such as dressing and hygiene. While a life activity may include leisure and community goals, this is often not the primary focus of an OT. A Recreation Therapist incorporates all the above areas into real life skills which are incorporated into every day productive activities.
How are Recreational Therapy services different from what an aide provides?
Many of our clients have aides that are responsible for supervising the clients, assisting with daily living needs and some general household tasks. Some aides may even be able to drive and take a client into the community but typically just enjoy passive activities or do the tasks for the clients. They are not educated, trained or skilled with assessing a client’s interests, prescribing appropriate activity modalities and working towards improvements. A Recreational Therapist sets a purpose and goals for each session and plans activities that are specifically targeted to each client.
How are Recreational Therapy services recognized?
Recreational Therapists are standard treatment team members in rehabilitation services. Recreational Therapy is listed as a rehabilitation therapy service in the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) standards. Leisure and recreation are designated as crucial elements as part of medical rehabilitation programs within the CARF standards (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities). In addition, the American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA) is a member of CARFs international advisory council.” The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) includes Recreational Therapy in the mix of treatment and rehabilitation services used to determine federal compliance in skilled nursing, rehabilitation (physical and psychiatric) and long-term care facilities. Recreational Therapy is specifically indicated as a Related Service under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. A few states regulate this profession through licensure, certification, registration or regulation of titles.
What are some goals and outcomes of Recreational Therapy?
Current research indicates a significant number of positive health outcomes resulting from participation in Recreational Therapy programs:
Improvement in Physical Health Status such as endurance, fine and gross motor skills, coordination, strength, balance and decrease in pain.
Improvement in overall mental health such as increased confidence, sense of accomplishment and a decrease in anxiety and depression.
Improvement in Behaviors, Social Skills and Status related to aggression, frustration, conflict resolution, safety/judgement and coping skills.
Improvement in Cognitive Status related to increased attention and concentration, ability to follow directions, problem solve, initiate, organize and plan activities.
Improvement in Quality of Life, participation in adapted Recreation activities & Community Involvement
What is a Recreational Therapist's Education, Qualifications, & Credentials?
A qualified Recreational Therapist is someone who is nationally certified as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS), usually referred to as Recreational Therapists or RTs. Qualified professionals are certified through the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) http://www.nctrc.org, which requires a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited university, a formal internship and the passing of a national certification examination. A CTRS must maintain their credential every five years through the NCTRC recertification process.
How can I get Recreational Therapy services?
In order to begin services with HCRT we need a physician order and a referral form and/or appropriate medical records for the potential client. If you have funding through Michigan’s Auto No Fault or Worker’s Compensation, you can be referred by your physician, case manager, guardian, family member or yourself. We will also consider private pay and self-referrals. Please contact us for more information regarding fees and services. You can find the referral form here or call 734-355-3899 or contact us.
What will Recreational Therapy services look like with HCRT?
Once the referral is completed, a therapist will do a comprehensive initial evaluation and share this with the physician and case manager. Each client will have different goals and needs and will be a key part of setting their own plan. Services can vary from a few times a week to once a month depending on client needs. HCRT is able to transport clients but some clients require medical transportation which the therapist will help coordinate. All services are individualized to consider the clients’ interests and needs so each clients’ plan will look different. We do offer small groups which are designed to provide an environment to work on common goals and build peer support while still benefiting from 1:1 skilled therapy. Ultimately, participation with HCRT works on getting clients off the sidelines and back into life.