Moments of clarity ultimate reward for therapeutic recreation practitioner

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Baking, sock sorting, sanding wood and gardening are some of the activities Lisa Chester uses to engage elderly people with advanced dementia.

"Their hands remember what their minds forget," says Chester, who works in therapeutic recreation at Guildford Seniors Village in Surrey. "There's one patient here who must have been a baker. I gave him icing sugar and a sifter and his instincts took over. He doesn't know where he is. He doesn't know what's going on. But you find a trigger and the patients amaze you with these fleeting moments of absolute clarity."Leading activities in the Special Care Unit is just one part of Chester's work at Guildford. She plans and leads therapeutic recreation programs for other residents of the home to meet fitness goals, give them social interaction and raise their self esteem.

"Therapeutic recreation isn't just about leading programs for fun," she says. "We look at our patients, assess their needs and goals, and then design fitness, craft and social activities to meet those needs. It's purposeful intervention."An event planner extra-ordinaire, Chester organizes everything from lunch outings to Victorian teas. "I keep having to remind myself it's a job, because it's the `non-job' job," she says. "If you love helping people and you love to play, this is the field for you."

Chester was considering social work as a career when she attended an information session for the Therapeutic Recreation Program at Douglas College. "The instructors were really inspiring. Their passion for their work will reel you in." The program prepares students to plan meaningful leisure activities for children and adults with disabilities or an illness, and senior citizens."It's the only program of its kind in the province," says Therapeutic Recreation Program Co-coordinator Janice Spencer. "We want our students to be able to help people embrace their challenges and live their lives to the fullest."Students don't just learn theory ? the two-year program puts them out in the field for 15 weeks to gain on-the-job experience and valuable connections. When Chester's practicum at Guildford ended, she was offered a job."One of my instructors at Douglas College always says never underestimate the impact you can have on a person's life and that's really true," says Chester.

Small things like the ice cream sundae days Chester plans for the residents can make a big difference. "Ice cream was a really special treat for their generation. It reminds them of their childhood. They get so excited," says Chester. Residents build their own sundaes, choosing from flavours and toppings. "The most important thing in therapeutic recreation is to offer choice. Choice gives people a sense of control. Self-determination should be last thing that goes. That's life. If nothing else, you should have self-determination, even in a small way."

To learn more about the Therapeutic Recreation Program at Douglas College, please contact Sandy McLeod at 604-527-5612. Applicants for the part-time program are being accepted for September 2003 until August 1.

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For more information, please contact:
Janice Spencer, Therapeutic Recreation Program: 604-777-6239
Kim Fehr, Communications & Marketing Office: 604-527-5325