Recreational Therapy: Implications for Life Care Planning

Precedence exists for life care planners to consider the optimization of health, the minimization of medical complications, autonomy, and quality of life of their evaluees. Recreational Therapy (RT) should be considered for life care plans to support health promotion, prevention of secondary conditions, and quality of life. Recreational Therapy is a treatment service that restores or rehabilitates the person’s level of functioning and independence through the use of leisure and recreational interventions (American Therapeutic Recreation Association [ATRA], 2020). Recreational Therapy can contribute to positive outcomes for individuals with various chronic health conditions in the community. Although Recreational Therapy can enhance the life care plans for individuals with a wide range of disabling conditions, for the purpose of this article discussion will be limited to spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injury. Based on an individualized assessment, RT optimizes cognitive, social, psychological, and physical outcomes.