Therapeutic Recreation Month
Life is about doing the things you love, as often as you can.
February is Therapeutic Recreation Month. During this month, our Leisure and Lifestyle team is dedicated to celebrating the importance of leisure and recreational activities that promote physical, emotional, cognitive, and social well-being.
Our teams deliver engaging, enriching experiences for Residents across residential care. These activities are tailored to resident interests and include bus tours, crafting, board games, cooking, and visits from therapy animals such as Patty the Pony.
Leisure and Lifestyle Officer in our Grasmere Terrace home, Vanessa Pohlmann, said the joy Residents experience when they get involved in activities inspires her.
‘Therapeutic recreation is so much more than filling time,’ she said.
‘It’s about connection, choice, independence and supporting each Resident to continue doing what brings them happiness.’
Grasmere Terrace Resident, Maureen, loves getting involved in the community.
‘I like the trivia the best, it involves everyone its more social,’ she said.
While Betty in Grasmere loves getting out and about.
‘I like the bus outing, seeing new places and being able to enjoy the company around me.’
Leisure and Lifestyle Officer in Werombi Court, Cassie Edouard-Betsy, has the best job in the world, she said.
‘Most of our Residents have faced war, hardship and difficult medical diagnoses in their lives, and every morning they still get up and are excited for the day,’ she said.
‘I love providing our Residents with experiences that they thought they would never get to do again, like discos, pet therapy with Patty the Pony, and taking them to the beach on bus trips.’
Werombi Court Residents, Pam and Joe, love the Drums Alive Activity, which involves Residents playing along to a beat.
‘I just enjoy being active, it keeps me out of mischief,’ Joe said.
‘I thought it looked silly and funny to watch. One day, I decided to join in, and I couldn’t believe how much fun I had,’ Pam said.
‘It felt good to bang on the drum and sing to the music. I couldn’t stop laughing, and boy, it was good exercise! It’s my favourite activity.’
Graham, a Mary Mackillop Resident, said he enjoys Fit ‘N Fun.
‘It’s a lot of good fun and fitness, especially hitting the balloons with pool noodles.’
While John simply enjoys walking the grounds.
‘I love walking to the lake, watching the birds, and keeping fit. The grounds of Carrington are so beautiful. I really enjoy being here.’
Providing meaningful, fun and engaging activities is essential to the care we deliver. Seeing the positive impact our leisure and lifestyle teams have on our residents creates a strong sense of purpose and fulfilment.
