Activity Domains

Insight's Recreation Team provides a wide range of activities at the Adult Day Health Center. Our program utilizes a person-centered care approach to provide an environment that focuses on people’s strengths rather than their memory limitations, addressing the needs of the total person: physical, mental, and emotional. Recreational Therapy activities are designed to restore motor, social and cognitive functioning, build confidence, develop coping skills, and integrate skills learned in treatment settings into community settings. Activities are described below in eight categories: cognitive, creative, physical, social, productive sensory, nature, outdoor, and reflective. 

Social (S)

Here at Insight, social programs include discussions, dancing, parties with family, group art projects, and even some science projects.  Insight utilizes "The Best Friends" approach which recognizes the importance and value of friendship in dementia care. Social programs help build relationships between participants, staff, community, and care partners. One participant often says "We always have a lot of laughs here"

Physical (P)

When you think of an exercise program, you probably think about exercise balls, stretch bands, and free weights. And you'd be right! But that's not all. Games such as cornhole and axe throwing can raise heart rate, improve balance, and practice hand eye coordination. Regular physical activity can prevent falls and injuries from falls. Anything that gets you moving, like dancing, benefits physical health. 

Cognitive (C)

Our cognitive activities aren't just games of Jeopardy (though we do love Jeopardy!). Cognitive activities can include puzzles and tessellation games. One program we've been loving lately is putting newspaper headlines in order. Some of our other brain games include guess the famous face, Scattergories, and crosswords. 

Creative (CR)

Creativity comes in many different forms at Insight. We love painting, sculpting, quilting, and more! The first picture shows "Aqua Paintings" where you can paint with water and the picture appears. No matter what your skill level you are, there's always something for you. We recently made Valentine's flowers with stamps. 

Productive Sensory (SE)

Sensory programs aim to involve one, or more, of our five senses. We've been able to touch animals, smell tomatoes we've grown ourselves, cook and eat our own recipes, play and listen to music, and use our multi-sensory room to enjoy relaxing light displays. Sensory stimulation has been proven to increase cognitive function and help recall previous experiences. 

Outdoor (O)

Most of our outdoor activities take place in our patio area, but we have been known to take field trips to Burke Lake. We like to soak up the sun, enjoy fresh air, and garden.

Reflective (R)

When reminiscing and reflecting, we use physical reminders to encourage discussion. Some of our programs have focused on the military, going to the beach, and weddings. 

Nature (N)

Despite the cold weather, we still make an effort to connect with nature during the winter by bringing elements of the outdoors inside. We enjoy visits from Echoes of Nature and their animal friends. Our bird namaste program includes looking and feeling feathers, bird replicas, and eggs.

Author

Sarah Richart, CDP is a Recreation Assistant with Insight's Day Center Recreation Team.