Submitted by: Debbie Hommel
Adaptive Equipment: We are lucky to be able to find almost anything we need to meet the needs of clients with a quick google search as there are many sites offering adaptive equipment. Some specialize in addressing low vision or hearing loss such as the National Federation of the Blind (https://nfb.org/) or Hearing Loss Association of America (http://www.hearingloss.org/). These sites offer resources at a local level as well as various devices to increase independence. There are many sites which have a variety of adaptive equipment but the one I have found to offer the largest variety is Independent Living Aids (http://www.independentliving.com/). They offer a number of items which contribute to greater independence and an improved quality of life. You can check out additional resources here: http://www.dhspecialservices.com/adaptivequip.htm
Dementia: My work is primarily with geriatrics so I am constantly seeking additional resources on Alzheimer’s disease and dementia care. I have found the ADEAR Center (https://www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers/about-adear-center) which is affiliated with the National Institute of Aging, offers many helpful resources which can be used in training. Along with the ADEAR Center, the Alzheimer’s Association (http://www.alz.org/) web site has abundant information which can be used in training and education as well. Many of the publications on both sites can be printed out and shared with staff and families. There are some excellent videos which can be used in in-services and some of the publications are available in Spanish.
Online Education: The growth in non-traditional education has been immense in recent years. There are many opportunities for education through webinars, on line seminars, and independent study. Before purchasing this type of education, it is good practice to review the validity and reliability of the education source. One should also check with their certifying body to determine the type of on line education they will accept. Many colleges offer professional continuing education along with their accredited college courses. The University of Tasmania in Australia (http://www.utas.edu.au/wicking/understanding-dementia) offers an excellent free 30 hour continuing education program on understanding dementia. Danny Pettry, (www.dannypettry.com) the sender of this newsletter, offers a wide variety of this type of training directed to the recreation therapist. My site also offers courses which are relevant to the recreation therapist. You can check them out here: http://www.dhspecialservices.com/independentstudypage.htm
Programming: The most popular new place to secure programming resources, along with anything else, seems to be Pinterest (www.pinterest.com). It is the new “go-to” site to find specific activity ideas and specific interventions for particular needs. A search of therapeutic recreation pulls up programs, devices, quotations and much more. More specific searches can pull up even more resources. One can then save the pins to a personal page or follow particular pages of interest. You are invited to follow my page (DebbieHommel). The TR Directory (http://www.recreationtherapy.com/) has a nice collection of programming interventions, organized in categories.
My site also has a variety of sites saved focusing on horticulture therapy, themes, aromatherapy, reminiscing and more. http://www.dhspecialservices.com/links.htm
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