Effective Therapeutic Recreation Programs:

Veterans with TBI , PTSD, and Polytrauma

Objectives • Define Recreation vs.

Therapeutic Recreation• Outline concepts of

participant selection• Communicate program goals• Outline factors in effective

groups• Highlight the importance of

supporter inclusion• Achievement of program

goals through therapeutic initiatives

• Facilitation of long term benefits

• Prove program efficacy

Recreation: activity that refreshes and rejuvenates, activity that renews your health and spirits by enjoyment and relaxation

Therapeutic Recreation: treatment service designed to restore, remediate and rehabilitate a person’s 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

Recreation vs. Therapeutic Recreation

Program Goals o Learning or re-learning sports and recreational activitieso Raising self-confidence and independenceo Strengthening relationships with peers and supporterso Enhancing stress management and coping skillso Connecting veterans to recreation and other needed services in their home communityo Encouraging veterans to apply the skills learned at the camp to other areas of their lives: work, school, family, health, and community o Providing long term benefits through follow-up, reintegration programs, and peer support system

Considerations in Selecting Participants

Qualifying Criteria: •Purple Heart, 100% rating, etc…• Physical injury vs. TBI PTSDChallenges with Claims/Awards: • Lack of Homogeny• TBI/PTSD and qualifying for awards • Struggles between entities • Serving the highest need The Importance of Assessment: •Qualified Staff • Thorough vetting process

Creating A New Unit Application and RatingoThe personal toucho Assessing your clients oWaiting until they’re ReadyFinding Commonalitieso Catering to client needs o Relationship Statuso Injury Type o Gendero DeploymentGroup Dynamics o Small group (6-10)o LeadershipoVarying Stages of Recovery

Creating A New Unit Initiating a sense of unity o Focusing on the Value of Peer Supporto Ceremony in Joining the Unito Accountability Including Military Traditiono Speaking the language o Structure in the daily routine o Officer vs. Enlisted Symbolism in the Uniformo Unit Jacketo Unique Patcho Flag

Caring for the Caregiver

Including the Supportero Spouse o Family member or friend Educationo Disability awareness o Communicationo Self Care New Role as CaregiverPTSD Correlation

Therapeutic Focus Daily Themeso Bonds Win Battles: Recognize the value of peer supporto Live Your Passion: Identify the benefit of recreation in

daily lifeo I AM Valued: Affirm values in yourself and what others

value about youo Healing Tools : Learning what triggers stress and the

tools available to alleviate it o Taking it Home: Reflect on the accomplishments of the

week, and develop a plan for using the lessons from camp to go forward in recovery

Therapeutic Initiatives Driving Home the Daily Theme o Morning Theme Introductiono Instructor and volunteer support o Dinner questionso Journaling o Separate daily debrief Other Therapeutic Initiatives o Split day and night o Team buildingo Stretching and breathing o Token economy o Letters from loved ones oOn your own night

Creating a Conducive Atmosphere

Intimacyo Avoid the revolving door – instructors and volunteerso Keep staff to a minimum o Separate time Social Functions o Avoid the BIG crowdso Provide an escape o Progressive social oportunities Media o Participation by choiceo Program promotion vs. Exploitation

Carrying the Momentum Home Three year follow-upo Creating a social networko Scheduled calls o Pay it forward Resources at home and beyondo Recreation resourceso Other resourceso Collaborating o Setting up for success Reintegration o Recreation Interviewo Setting Goalso Allocating a budget

Proving Efficacy Collaboration with Universities o Goalso Responsibilities and expectationso Contracto Publications Participant Compliance o Instilling a sense of dutyo Pairing with follow-upReporto Therapist summaries o Program evaluations

Higher Ground Results

Category PRE Camp

POST Camp

Increase

Self Confidence 3.167 4.133 19.32%

Vigor 11.88 17.28 21.6%

Perceived Benefit of Sports

37 59 31.43%

Post Traumatic Growth

69.92 78.51 8%

Perceived Competence in Sports

15.27 20.2 17.6%

Category PRE Camp

POST Camp

Decrease

Reduction of PTSD

63.18 46.22 19.95%

Isolation 25.96 17.81 19.32%

Re- experiencing trauma

17.77 13.51 17.04%

Hypervigilance 19.44 14.88 18.24%

Fatigue 16.28 13.39 11.56%

Contact Information For Information About Higher Ground

www.hgvets.org Or Contact Bert Gillette, CTRS

PH: (208)726-9298x6Email: bert@svasp.org

Higher Ground is a Program of Sun

Valley Adaptive Sports