• 
  History Mission Employment Westminster Foundation CARF-CCAC Campus Map Newsletter Calendars
   
• 
  Continuum of Care Luxury Apartment Homes Cottage Homes Assisted Living Memory Care Skilled Nursing and
  Long Term Care Therapy Center Concierge Service Photo Gallery
   
• 
• 
• 
  Contact Form Directions
   

The Mary Newill Therapy Center is dedicated to helping you get well and back to your life.

Rec Therapist Brittany Hook helps a patient in the Medicare rehab wing at Westminster Village North
work on his balance as he practices his putting.

Massage Therapy  |  Recreational Therapy

Westminster Village North is proud to announce the addition of recreation therapy to a roster of physical, occupational, speech and massage therapies. The benefits of recreational therapy are many; but what differentiates this type of therapy is that it doesn't seem like work. Patients do the thing they enjoy, like practicing a golf swing, all while increasing physical, cognitive, social, emotional and spiritual strength.

The recreation therapy program is designed to address resident's wellness issues. Like physical and occupational therapies, rec therapy sets goals that are specific to the individual being treated. But instead of weights, the residents use games, or toss beanbags, or play cards. The rec therapist interviews each person to discover what he or she enjoys, and that is used to help them improve.

The 'patient' usually sees therapy as work. But recreational therapy is an activity that they enjoy and it is a pleasant diversion from the task at hand.

In the Riley North dementia wing, our goal is to maintain functioning as long as possible. The rec therapist works with residents in a number of ways; reminisce by smelling candles or looking at photos, which keeps them talking and active. These activities help maintain their cognitive skills.

The chaplain's role in dementia care is similar, spending time with residents in ways that are cognitively productive. "They may not be able to understand complex theological concepts," said Chaplain Vern Farnum, D.Min, "but they often can repeat back familiar verses, or sing along on old favorite hymns. And it is clearly a comfort to them".

The trio work together, letting each other know where extra help may be useful. "We bridge all the disciplines," Recreational Therapist Brittany Hook said, "picking pieces from all and putting them together to treat the whole person."

For more information about this new service, or any other WVN program, call Tracy Pope, 317-826-6084.