Activities and Groups- The multi-disciplinary treatment team determines which activities the patient will participate in and to what extent the participation will be. Activities and activity groups that patients may participate in are:
Recreational therapy focuses on developing leisure and interpersonal skills in- group setting. Participation for some patients is based upon the ability to maintain a pattern of weight gain or weight maintenance while actively participating in physically strenuous activities.
Occupational therapy assists the patient to identify skills, interests, and capacities. The focus is on assisting the patient to develop more skills. A number of additional activity groups exist within the occupational therapy setting.
Relaxation group utilizes a variety of techniques including gentle stretching, awareness of breath, and listening to quiet music to teach patients how to effectively alleviate symptoms of stress.
All patients are encouraged to participate in art group. Through a variety of techniques such as painting, drawing, calligraphy, etc., the patient may experience an increase level of comfort in creative self-expression.
Cooking group is an activity where patients are taught the fundamentals of planning, shopping for, and preparing nutritionally balanced meals. Cooking group provides a setting where patients are assisted to decrease anxieties associated for nutritional food management.
Amigos group is an activity, which teaches patients basic fundamentals of how to get along with peers. Strategies such as taking turns in speaking are taught.
Positive reinforcement is provided for patients who participate in social skills group.
Medication group teaches patients about the nature of their illness and the activities necessary to achieve and maintain a positive level of health. This includes understanding their symptoms and the nature and use of medication. Medication compliance is emphasized.
Patient/family education is an ongoing activity, which occurs from the time of admission throughout hospitalization. The goals of education are to provide the patient and family with the knowledge and skills needed to maintain an optimal level of wellness outside of the hospital setting and include medication and symptoms management.
Animal-assisted therapy is a goal-oriented intervention in which animals that meet specific criteria become integral to the treatment process. The interaction between patient and animals is guided towards meeting therapy goals.
Friendship group is led by a chaplain. The group serves to assess and help to explore spiritual needs.