This is the gap and the solution filled in by TR programs. They have the knowledge about disabilities and provide alternatives for specific needs not included in the curriculum. But they have to be as knowledgeable about legal obligations and risks related to their programs as they are about the programs. The failure to recognize such risks or observe pertinent legal obligations not only exposes them to legal threats. It also substantially slows down the progress of the practice in schools. Updated knowledge on legal obligations and risks should then be incorporated into their guidelines so as to reduce exposure to liability suits (Taniguchi et al.).
TR for Older Adults with Dementia and Behavioral Symptoms
Most of health care deals with disturbing behaviors by administering medications, such as Thorazine and Haldol (Buettner et al. 2006). These medications are known for their severe side effects. More than half of nursing home residents afflicted with dementia are taking one or more of these psychoactive medications, which entail risks of falls, loss of function, hip fractures, decreased cognition, and premature institutionalization. All these risks also carry greater risks of death, especially in older persons. The Federal Drug Administration recently announced that older patients using atypical antipsychotics for dementia confronted a higher risk of death than patients not on these medications. Incidentally, it does not approve antipsychotics for dementia (Buettner et al.).
A recent study was conducted on the effects and impact of TR on older persons with dementia (Buettner et al. 2006). They were 107 participants, aged 65 and older, from five long-term health care residences in Florida. Results showed that the recreational interventions and TR process proved effective in changing the participants' behavior. It also found that the interventions stimulated their cognitive abilities. They found their roles in cooking, food preparation and sharing very satisfying. These findings underscore the effective contributions of TR in the behavioral real of dementia care. The study clearly points to the positive effects of TR on elderly persons with dementia, passivity and agitation. The result represents 79-91% success in the study's predictive scale. At...
2006). This medical provider, in turn, adjusts the patient's medication or sends him for a psychiatrist or evaluation. Few medical providers order for non-pharmacological solutions, such as TR, because of the lack of awareness of its value. Findings of studies like these on the treatment of dementia-related behavior should, therefore, be made part of medical and nursing instruction (Buettner et al.).
Bibliography
Asenjo, Bill. Recreation Therapy. Encyclopedia of Nursing and Allied Health: CBS
Interactive, Inc., 2005. Retrieved on March 28, 2009 at http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_gGENH/is_20050229/ai_2699003671?tag=content;col1
Bent, Leah M.; Johnson, Kristen; Klaas, Sarah; Rathsam, Shannon; and Schottler,
Jennifer an Upward Slope. Parks & Recreation: National Recreation and Park
Association, 2003. Retrieved on March 28, 2009 at http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1145/is_4_38/ai_100960613?tag=content;col1
Buettner, Linda L.; Fitzsimmons, Suzanne; and Atav, a. Serdar. Predicting Outcomes of Therapeutic Recreation Interventions for Older Adults with Dementia and Behavioral
Symptoms. Therapeutic Recreation Journal: National Recreation and Park
Association, 2006. Retrieved on March 28, 2009 at http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3903/is_20060/ai_n1788504?tag=content;col1
Hamilton, Erica Shane and Cody, Ann E. Recreation Grants for People with Disabilities in Jeopardy. Parks & Recreation: National Recreation and Park Association, 2002.
Retrieved on March 28, 2009 at http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1145/is_5_37/ai_86505436?tag=content;col1
Taniguchi, Stacy; Widmer, Mark; and Taniguchi, Amy. Tort Liability Considerations for Therapeutic Professionals. Therapeutic Recreation Journal: National Recreation and Park Association, 2008. Retrieved on March 28, 2009 at http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3903/is_ai_n31109294?tag=content;col1
