Director
Ms. Tara Jamison serves, in addition to being the Community Relations Director, as the Director of Activity and Rehabilitation Services. Tara has a M.S. in Therapuetic Recreation and is certified as a CTRS (Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist). She has worked at Richmond State Hospital for close to 20 years.
Staff
The Activity and Rehabilitation Service includes Recreational Therapists, Music Therapists, an Occupational Therapist, an Art Therapist and others. These various therapists provide many different types of activities for the patients including:
- Trips to various community locations
- Cooking class
- Sports and games such as basketball, bowling, cards, bingo, etc.
- Choir and various musical activities
Activity and Rehabilitation Therapists also provide leadership through serving on various hospital committees and as Treatment Team Leaders.
Emphasis
The emphasis of Activity and Rehab services is fitness and independent living skills. Fitness is offered for all patients a minimum of three times per week. Fitness classes may include walking programs, calisthenics, sitercise, yoga and weightlifting.Independent living skills build upon skills patients need in order to improve independence and move toward community placement. Independent living skills classes include leisure education, community resources, home safety, wellness, vocational training, social skills, and skill based program like cooking, manners, comparative shopping, etc.
Fun Stuff and Learning Opportunities
Patients can also be refered to art therapy, music therapy, occupational therapy, recreation therapy, and education classes in preparation for obtainin their GED. Assignment to therapeutic programs is based upon problems, goals and objectives listed in the patient's Individual Treatment Plan.
Life enhancement or leisure programs include classes in art, crafts, current events, horticulture, music, and sports. The Activity and Rehab Servcie also organizes various recreational events such as carnival, dances, county picnics, birthday parties, and holiday celebrations.
Tara Jamison