Levindale’s Therapeutic Recreation Therapists Hit the Right Notes with Residents

The sound of music and the sight of dancing filled the town center at Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center and Hospital on a recent Monday afternoon. That’s when residents who were relaxing there were treated to the first-ever flash dance led by members of the therapeutic recreation team!

As part of Therapeutic Recreation Month, team members and other employees showed off their moves to the song, “Don’t Stop “Til You Get Enough” sung by Michael Jackson. The song was perfect because they won’t stop ‘til residents enjoy enough creative expression, music, art and events to fill ten lifetimes. They also wore white gloves, like Michael Jackson did, as part of the show.

After they finished their number, the dancers went into the audience and encouraged residents to cut-a-rug with them.

For recreational therapists, having fun is a serious business. They lead programs and activities designed to meet the physical, cultural, social, cognitive, emotional and creative needs of long-term care residents and hospital patients. Therapists use social events, community outings and educational classes to achieve these goals and to enable individuals to establish healthy leisure lifestyles.

Therapeutic recreation specialists are nationally certified and hold a minimum of a bachelor's degree.