The Spring 2018 issue of InforMS magazine focuses on leisure: an often misunderstood and under-appreciated component of health and wellbeing. In this issue of eMS News, we’d like to tell you a little more about how a team of Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists (CTRS) are incorporating leisure in very focused and meaningful ways.
The Rocky Mountain MS Center’s King Adult Day Enrichment Program (KADEP) hosts upwards of 65 clients every weekday at its facility in Westminster. The KADEP family started more than 25 years ago with a small group of MS patients, but today KADEP also hosts those living with the effects of traumatic brain injury, stroke, and other neurological issues.
KADEP clients tailor their experience by choosing from a list of programs to participate in, from discussion groups and games to physical training and exercise. Available programs change on a regular basis, with schedules set up on a trimester system, not unlike a community college, and new programs are constantly being developed by KADEP’s staff of therapeutic recreation specialists, with input from clients.
Recently, KADEP staff have refocused some of their efforts toward getting clients outside of the facility – increasing the number of off-site recreation opportunities. Quick trips of just a couple hours each are bringing KADEP clients in touch with services and facilities already out there in the community.
“We have a traveling fitness group and they’re going out to various recreation centers near us in Westminster,” says King. “We’ve worked with organizations like Golf for All for many years, and more recently we’ve started working with the Ridge Recreation Center, part of the Foothills Parks & Recreation District.”
Hydrotherapy has been part of the Rocky Mountain MS Center’s community programs for many years, and KADEP clients attend sessions weekly. Hydrotherapy sessions are hosted at pools run by Denver Parks and Recreation and the Apex Parks & Recreation District.
“We took a KADEP fitness group to a local rec center recently, and we ran into a group of firefighters working out at the same time. The firemen started asking questions… ‘Where are you guys from? What do you do?’,” said King. “So part of what we’re doing is building awareness, by being out in the community and exposing clients to fun things that most people take for granted.”
Recently, clients have headed off-site to take part in activities as varied as bowling, indoor golf, billiards, and general fitness/exercise with professional trainers. And of course, in Colorado, what winter would be complete without skiing? KADEP’s been active this year, with multiple trips to the slopes at Breckenridge and Eldora, thanks to great partners like the Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center and Ignite Adaptive Sports.
KADEP’s travels are helping the larger community, as well. “The City of Westminster wanted to learn more about our population of clients and how to modify activities in their parks department for different populations,” said King. “We’re helping teach them about therapeutic recreation, and hoping they can offer classes and programs to a wider audience than they’re already serving.”
For more on what KADEP’s been up to lately, follow the KADEP Community page on Facebook.
And don’t forget to check out the Spring 2018 issue of InforMS, with more information on how leisure and recreation are important parts of everyone’s life.