Maike Pagnanini, Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist since 2010

Maike Pagnanini, CTRS BTR

creating meaningful moments for seniors in care

Recreation Therapy helps heal the soul. Those things that fill us up. Those meaningful things we want to get out of bed for!

Independent Living

Independent living facilities continue to support individuals' autonomy, independence, and quality of life as they move into a new way of living. The facility's multidisciplinary team works together to provide the best options and opportunities for it's residents, ensuring that an engaging lifestyle is readily available.

Lifestyle and Life Enrichment Coordinators strive to provide a well-rounded calendar of events and programs for their residents; finding interesting and unique events and programs is always at the back of the mind. Through a multidisciplinary approach, the overall health, wellbeing, and life satisfaction of residents is at the forefront of program and event selections, helping residents to live well and stay well. How is this accomplished? ... Therapeutic programming.

Assisted Living, LTC, Dementia Care

Autonomy is a foundational principle in healthcare and care settings of all kinds. With age and deteriorating health, a person's access to opportunities for exercising choice becomes an integral part of maintaining autonomy. This can become more and more challenging in higher levels of care. A simple daily activity like deciding what to wear can become an agonizing experience, reducing internalized locus of control and self confidence. Providing opportunities for autonomy and control sit at the heart of therapeutic programming.

Living at home, isolated in care

Aging in place can be a rewarding and comforting way to live out one's days, but can often present issues of isolation. With that comes a decline in health and wellbeing and an increased reliance on family members for support. Boredom can take hold due to lack of accessible activities as well as the ever growing lack of meaning and purpose in day to day life. Isolation can sometimes happen with individuals who move into assisted living because home is no longer a safe enough place. Some individuals prefer their own activities and don't enjoy the general activities provided by the facility staff.

our programs are packed with therapeutic value

We are stepping outside the box of what has traditionally been defined as therapeutic programming

Therapeutic programming is viewed by many as essential for the health and wellbeing of those living in care. Though many barriers exist, time and staffing seem to have a significant impact on the ability to provide therapeutic programming that meet the standard of practice.

At Outside the Box Rec Therapy, we strive to provide opportunities for therapeutic benefits, regardless of group size and time constraints. Without minimizing the importance of small group programming along with the requirements to meet the criteria of "therapeutic", we recognize, appreciate and advocate for the therapeutic value that can be found, created and fostered within a large group format. One small meaningful moment can set the emotional tone for the rest of a person's day. One small meaningful moment or interaction can change someone's self-perception in an instant. There is huge power in that!