Recreational Therapy

What makes F.L.O.W. Recreational Therapy/Therapeutic Recreation (RT/TR) different?

RT/RT embraces a definition of "health" that includes not only the absence of "illness" but extends to the enhancement of physical, cognitive, emotional, social, and leisure development so individuals may participate fully and independently in chosen life pursuits. Our team works collaboratively with client families, community groups, and other health professionals to ensure our care is of the highest quality.

Modalities

Use of recreational techniques in personalized treatment plans and specifically designed intervention strategies.

Interests

Incorporating the client's interests, and the client's family and/or community through the therapy process makes it meaningful and relevant.

Personalization

Individualized to each person's past, present, and future interests and lifestyle.

Well-Being

Weaving the concept of healthy living into treatments to ensure improved functioning, enhance independence, and successful involvement in all aspects of life.

Our approach to care

F.L.O.W. recreational therapists utilize a wide range of activities and community-based interventions and techniques to improve the physical, cognitive, emotional, social, and leisure needs of their clients. Our team assists clients in developing skills, knowledge, and behaviors for daily living and community involvement. Each 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.

  • Fitness

    Therapists at F.L.O.W. will conduct a training regimen that is safe and productive for the clients. We believe exercise and being active are essential to well-being. Fitness can come in many different forms and settings that anyone can benefit from. Clients will be able to use certain fitness facilities in the community, participate in sports, engage in individualized skills training, and fine motor activities, go hiking, swim, kayak, or do anything that the clients enjoy.

  • Leisure

    Leisure time allows clients to step back — physically but most important, mentally — from stress. Leisure activities are individualized to each person's past, present, and future interests and lifestyle. This can be self-directed leisure pursuits or activities such as games, cards, arts/crafts, reading, drawing, etc.

  • Outings

    Outings utilize community integration to explore Fort Wayne and its surrounding areas. Outings can be 1:1 therapist/client time or time as a group with other members During these outings we look at appropriate social interaction, manners, and life skills that may be improved upon. Each client is able to voice their interest in social activities they or would like to attend. Examples include: going out to eat, laser tag, sky zone, concerts, plays, sporting events, movies, malls, and going to the grocery store.

  • Wellness

    Clients will work with their recreational therapist and the F.L.O.W team to achieve an overall healthy lifestyle. Recreational therapy weaves the concept of healthy living into treatments to ensure improved functioning, enhance independence, and successful involvement in all aspects of life.

Client Outcomes

Our clients experience growth in many critical areas that help move them toward a more independent lifestyle. These areas of improvement include physical status, psychosocial status, cognitive status, and in general life, leisure, recreation, and community activities. See below for examples of what this growth can look like.

Physical Status

  • Increased strength, endurance, and coordination

  • Decreased pain and stiffness, improved fine/gross motor development

  • Reduced reliance upon medication and other health care services

  • Reduced secondary disability and associated higher healthcare costs

  • Reduction in complications related to secondary disability

  • Increased mobility, flexibility, ambulation, range of motion, and muscular strength

  • Improvement in perceptual-motor skill, balance, agility, and athletic skill

  • Improvement in cardiovascular and respiratory functioning

Psychosocial Status

  • Increased self-efficacy, self-confidence, and acceptance of disability

  • Increased communication (conversation, assertion, cooperation), trust, and cooperation skills

  • Increased skills at relaxing and managing stressors, anxiety, and boredom

  • Decreased social isolation and increased affiliation with others

  • Decreased levels of depression

  • Enhanced feelings of well being

  • Improved morale and life satisfaction

  • Improved body image

Activities

  • Improvement in community functioning and barrier management

  • Establishment of new life activities for continued growth

  • Improved ability to cope with substance-related stressors

  • Improved decision-making skills enhanced sober lifestyle and identity

  • Enhanced functional independence for community living

  • Improved ability to structure time

  • Increased quality of discretionary time use

Cognitive Status

  • Enhanced attention, memory, and perception

  • Improved organizational skills

  • Increased decision-making and problem-solving skills

  • Enhanced behavior management strategies

  • Increased alertness and awareness of surroundings

  • Reduced confusion and disorientation