As adults age, due to physical limitations, health concerns, busy schedules, and more, our passions and hobbies sometimes fall away. An important tool – recreational therapy – can assist retirement-age individuals in recalling activities they once enjoyed and reconnecting with them. Additionally, in a way that improves cognitive function, mental health, and physical health, they may even find new activities, hobbies, etc.
To start enjoying the benefits of recreational therapy, one basic question can be posed: Name something you can no longer do but used to enjoy immensely. What brought you pleasure and joy, no matter how small or how big, you can no longer do (for whatever reason)? This is a good place for recreational therapy to begin.
Let’s take a look at how older adults can benefit from recreational therapy. Will they have fun? More than likely, yes. But there’s much more to it.
Enhancement of Quality of Life
To improve quality of life and enhance well-being, the emotional, cognitive, and physical health benefits of recreational therapy all add up. Retirement-age adults feel more optimistic when they’re engaged in meaningful, healthy, and fun activities that bring happiness and contentment to their day. At any age, it’s important to experience vitality and have fun.
Increasing of Independence
By helping older adults find new ways to do things they can no longer do – or develop new skills or strengthen or relearn existing skills – recreational therapy can encourage independence in those with certain conditions.
Example: Recreational therapy activities, if your loved one has had a stroke, could include cooking. This would eventually assist them in doing things on their own while hastening their recovery. At the same time, fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, etc., would be improved through seemingly completely unrelated activities like chair volleyball, painting, etc. All of this helps older adults regain independence by carrying over to daily tasks, and increases confidence, in turn.
Reduction in Stress
For coping with stressors, one beneficial tool is the mindfulness encouraged by relational therapy activities. What’s more, to increase the self-esteem of a retirement age individual, a sense of purpose is provided by participating in activities formerly enjoyed. This improves mood and decreases stress.
Socialization Opportunities
Isolation is frequently a risk for older adults, making them susceptible to depression and loneliness. This can affect both their physical and mental health. That, in turn, puts them at higher risk for heart disease, dementia, stroke, and other conditions.
Powerful social benefits are provided by recreational therapy. With a caregiver, they engage in enjoyable leisure activities. They receive valuable social interaction and companionship care. Group activities are also a possibility. This helps bolster their skills and develop a sense of community.
Improvement in Physical Health
Recreational therapy can assist retirement age adults to stay physically fit. For some, walking or cycling would be appropriate. For others, swimming or seated exercises. What matters is that their level of health, needs, and abilities are tailored to them through engaging in an activity they enjoy.
Exercise not only lowers the risk of a variety of conditions and diseases (think high blood pressure, type II diabetes, heart disease, etc.), it can relieve insomnia, alleviate anxiety and depression, and more.
Movement is encouraged during recreational therapy activities which can improve agility, coordination, strength, flexibility, balance, and mobility. Not only is recovery assisted, but injuries related to falls can be reduced or prevented.
Cognitive Function Boost
Older adults can slow cognitive decline by staying mentally stimulated as a result of recreational therapy activities. Problem-solving skills can be strengthened, alertness increased, and concentration and memory improved by learning to use technology, playing an instrument, arts and crafts, board games, crossword puzzles, trivia, and card games.
