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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 activities
o Raising self-confidence and independence
o Strengthening relationships with peers and supporters
o Enhancing stress management and coping skills
o Connecting veterans to recreation and other needed services in their home community
o 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 PTSD
Challenges 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 Ready
Finding Commonalitieso Catering to client needs o Relationship Statuso Injury Type o Gendero Deployment
Group 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 support
o Live Your Passion: Identify the benefit of recreation in daily life
o I AM Valued: Affirm values in yourself and what others value about you
o 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-up
Reporto 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: [email protected]
Higher Ground is a Program of Sun
Valley Adaptive Sports
