Practice guidelines for recreation therapy in the care of people with dementia.
Activity is a basic human need expressed in work and leisure pursuits. Unfortunately, people with dementia have a low rate of activity participation because of associated physical and cognitive constraints. Recently, the American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA) held a consensus meeting to address this issue and formulate practice guidelines for recreation therapy in the care of people with dementia. The consensus document presents an evidence-based intervention theory that draws on the science of two disciplines: nursing and recreation therapy. This article reports on the ATRA guidelines and illustrates their applicability in a case study of a resident with severe aggression associated with dementia.
Buettner
Linda
L
Interdisciplinary Center for Positive Aging, College of Health Professions, Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, USA.
Kolanowski
Ann
A
D000368:Aged; D000374:Aggression; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003704:Dementia / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006803:Human Development; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008959:Models, Neurological; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011998:Recreation