The psychological importance of nursing home activities

I refer my residents to therapeutic activities every day. I consider them a vital adjunct to my work as a psychologist. Here's why:

via ltlmagazine.com

This article comes from Long Term Living Magazine and was written by Eleanor Feldman Barbera, PhD - a psychologist who consults with long term care facilities... I thought it was worth sharing.

The main points:

Therapeutic recreation reverses the downward spiral of depression.

Structured days are happier days. 

Activities are more vital when all time is leisure time.

Therapeutic recreation allows residents to continue or create new identities.

Activities foster socialization with peers.

Life needs purpose.

Apart from medical care, therapeutic recreation is the best reason to be in a nursing home.