Recreation therapy is an emerging healthcare profession that empowers clients to live their best life through the use of recreation and leisure. Along with the opening of Market Mall Health Centre last year came the creation of new community Recreation Therapist positions serving adults 18+ and Seniors First* clients within Saskatoon. In this role, recreation therapists work with clients who are experiencing a range of chronic healthcare conditions to increase access and opportunities to participate in activities at home or in the community.
Recreation Therapist Amanda Harder with client exercising
“What makes our profession so unique is its person-centered approach to care using recreation and leisure to help clients overcome their barriers to health and wellness,” says Mary Dwulit, one of the recreation therapists at Market Mall Health Centre. Recreation therapy is a goal-orientated service which looks at all of the domains of health including physical, social, emotional, cognitive and spiritual. Examples of outcomes are increased physical activity, functioning and social opportunities as well as decreased isolation, depression and pain. The ripple effects from participating in meaningful activities should not be over looked and neither should the impacts of working with a qualified recreation therapist.
Mary in the pool with a client
*Seniors First is an interdisciplinary team that supports clients in community living with chronic conditions to help them manage at home and avoid unnecessary hospital admissions.