Putting the pieces together
Your gifts make life easier for medically complex patients.
“I like to say that we put the fun in functional,” says Judy Beitz, a recently retired Therapeutic Recreation Specialist in St. Joseph’s Complex Care program. “Some patients think they're never going to get back home. But getting them engaged in leisure interests actually benefits what they’re learning in occupational therapy and physiotherapy.”
The Complex Care program serves people of varying ages, from young adults to seniors, with diverse medical needs. The average length of stay is about 90 days, with some patients transitioning back to the community while others move into long-term care.
Therapeutic recreation – from bowling and gardening to music concerts and pet therapy with a Great Dane named Maverick – is just one piece of the journey of care for people requiring inpatient complex care. And each piece is equally important.
Many of recreation activities utilize assistive devices like book holders or canes that make the activities accessible so that everyone can participate. The movements involved – like holding scissors while making a craft or shuffling a deck of cards – can be hugely beneficial to patients. “There are many things that happen naturally within the course of a leisure activity that complement their recovery and helps them recover quicker,” says Judy.
These programs also create opportunities for something that can be hard to find in inpatient settings: socialization. A lot of patients build strong, fulfilling friendships during these activities that they maintain long after they’ve been discharged.
“When I do outreach work in the community, someone will say ‘I went to the beach today with someone from our group’,” shares Therapeutic Recreation Aide Cindy Draper. “That’s what it’s all about. Making those connections beyond what we’re facilitating.”
Through the years, donors have made therapeutic recreation experiences even more special by funding things like a machine for creating custom crafts, tools for gardening and supplies for memorable ice cream socials.
Another vital piece of the complex care experience is access to updated equipment. Recently, donors funded several new ceiling lifts across the unit. These overhead lifts safely transfer patients in and out of bed so that they can attend appointments, visit with loved ones and participate in recreation.
“Functioning and reliable lifts are key to our work,” says Meghan Rumford, Coordinator of Complex Care. “This patient population often need a lot of support during their time with us.”
The lifts give patients reassurance that they’re always safe.
“For patients working toward a goal of transferring themselves independently but not yet at that point, the lift allows them to move safely, free of anxiety as they practice the stepping stones in therapy,” says Meghan.
The entire complex care team is grateful to the donors for supporting essential items that make an impact on every patient.
“You just brought joy and meaning back to their life,” Judy shares.
Your Donation Matters Here
Your gift today will make life easier for people with complex medical needs who can greatly benefit from assistive devices that help them navigate the world around them.