The development of therapeutic recreation programs for the elderly

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to develop the therapeutic recreation programs for relieving depressive symptoms of the elderly and to verify the effect on their psychological condition. The key elements of these programs, which consisted of 9 sessions, were aerobic exercises, group dynamics, and making fun.

These programs were developed through a multidisciplinary approach with social workers and the faculties of preventive medicine. The social workers gave these programs to fifteen elderly people at the community center. so called noiniung, for 9 weeks. Before intervention of this program for the experimental group, the baseline was measured by GDS(geriatric depression scale). After intervention for 9 weeks, GDS as an outcome was measured to evaluate the effects of the program.

This data was analyzed by x²-test and Wilcoxon signed rank test, and the results were as follows:

1. Based upon the cutting point(GDS=5) which could distinguish between depression group and normal group, the number for the normal group increased, while the number for the depression group decreased slightly after intervention with the therapeutic recreation programs, however, there was no significant change(p>0.05).

2. The score of GDS decreased significantly after intervention with the therapeutic recreation programs (P<0.05).

3. The scores of GDS decreased in widow(or) group and in female group compared to those of the married group and the male group, respectively (p<0.05).

4. The score of GDS increased in groups with similar labor and emotional support compared to those of groups with sufficient or less support, respectively (p<0.05)

These findings indicate that the therapeutic recreation programs might be effective for relieving depressive symptoms of the elderly. It is, therefore, suggested that this program be modified and standardized through review of the intervening process, experimental results, and responses of clients for appling in other noinjungs.