The Importance of Recreation in Long Term Care – by Salima Addetia, Recreationist

When an elderly person or his / her family has to face the issue of LTC placement, it is usually because they cannot be looked after in their present environment. They may be dealing with the challenges of high-risk behaviours such as wandering or they are having difficulties with their activities of daily living (ADL) including meal preparation or bathing. While all of these are good reason to seek LTC, what we never give thought to is the quality of life for the person entering LTC.

People understand that Alzheimer Disease (AD) and related dementias can affect a person’s life when they lead to incontinence, missed appointments, issues with balance and falls, difficulty managing medications, and even malnourishment. What we fail to realize is that AD also causes problems accessing and participating in leisure pursuits. A person who has AD may become forgetful or depressed such that they are no longer able to participate in things that they once found enjoyable. As the disease progresses, people find deficits in their cognitive skills (i.e. memory and thinking) which prevent them from taking part in the activities they used to previously. Many people are unable to initiate social interactions, so they sit for hours on end not engaging in conversation with anyone. All of this provides for a bleak existence.

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Salima Addetia has a B.Sc. in Life Sciences and a Post Graduate Studies Diploma in Gerontology. She is a Recreationist and is also a teacher at Centennial College in the Activation Program, and teaches Activity Aides who will work in Long Term Care, Seniors’ Day Programs, and Retirement Homes, providing Recreational Programs. She is also a published author on a book about Cognitive Programs for Alzheimer Patients.