Recreational Therapy services in the UNC Healthcare Rehabilitation Center are initiated by physician orders for assessment and treatment. Through the use of individualized assessments that focus on specific aspects of physical, mental, social and emotional functioning, recreational therapists are able to identify the elements of functioning necessary for successful involvement in life activities after discharge. Based on the assessment, the recreational therapist, the patient, and, when available, the family, will develop an individualized treatment plan that uses abilities and interests to address specific needs to improve functioning and independence.

Recreational Therapists provide treatment interventions designed to increase the level of the patient’s functioning and to prepare patients and families for discharge with recommendations for aftercare, adaptive equipment, and community integration to help maintain and continue improvement in functional abilities and independence in life activities.