Therapeutic Recreation Empowering Patients to Live their Best Health

When 79-year-old Barb Dyer was first admitted to Whitby Hospital in October 2022, she says an uncertain future began to impact her mental health.

“I give the therapeutic recreation team a lot of credit for where I am today because I used to be down in the dumps,” said Barb. “I thought I was going to a long-term care home, and I didn’t want to go there.”  

But with the help of Jenn Otvos, Activities Consultant and Lakeridge Health’s Therapeutic Recreation Team, not only did Barb’s mental health improve, but she also regained a renewed sense of strength and independence. 

“I really enjoy what we do, and I look forward to it every day,” said Barb. “I would call the nurses every morning and make sure they knew I was ready for fitness. People started telling me I looked and sounded happier! I’ma little more sure, and confident in myself because of the therapy!” 

As an Activities Consultant providing recreational therapy for her patients at the Whitby Hospital, Jenn helps to empower people, like Barb, to live their best health. 

“We meet with everyone when they come to stay,” explained Jenn Otvos, Activities Consultant in the Therapeutic Recreation Department at Lakeridge Health. “We meet and do an assessment. We figure out what they did in the past and what they did for a living. We talk about different hobbies and things that make them happy and bring them joy.” 

Jenn and her team focus on providing and facilitating activities that help to boost patients’ moods and engage with others. 

“Our department is really evidence-based. What people often don’t see is the science,the psychology, and all the reasons behind the interventions that we do in the Therapeutic Recreation Department,” said Jenn. 

For Barb, attending the daily fitness session enabled her to make friends and work towards her goal of transitioning back to her home in the community. 

“There’s a lot of them I used to see in fitness that have gone home,” said Barb, reminiscing on the friends she made during the sessions. 

“We’ve had some good, funny stories.” 

As a result of her persistence and commitment to her fitness, Barb was discharged to live independently in her home with her husband. 

“I’m going home,” beamed Barb. “The fitness has helped me get there.”