Exploratory Evaluation of a Therapeutic Art Program in an Adult Day Health Center

Abstract

Therapeutic recreation services are in greater demand with the increasing aging population. Therapeutic recreation, including therapeutic arts, is often provided in adult day health care programs to provide stimulating, rehabilitative environments that enrich well-being. This evaluation identified the impact an 8-week therapeutic arts program, designed and implemented using the Flourishing through Leisure Model as its framework, had on leisure well-being for 16 members of the adult day health care program. Utilizing pre-test and post-test assessments of the Well-Being Index, there were statistically significant improvements in overall well-being, leisure well-being, cognitive well-being, and spiritual well-being. Despite the limitations of this evaluation, the results suggest that a therapeutic arts program designed around the Flourishing through Leisure Model may improve domains of well-being in the adult day health care setting. Subscribe to TRJ