TREC 11-Effects of Using Therapeutic Nature – Medical Science Assignment Help

Assignment Task

Task

Introduction :

Background :

Therapeutic Recreation (TR) is still considered among health care professionals as an emerging field, with that comes a significant lack of research and evidence-based practice (EBP). The survival of TR and permanent inclusion as an allied health profession relies on the uptake of EBP (Stumbo & Pegg, 2010). Aligning with Therapeutic Recreation Ontario’s (TRO) core competency 8.0 (Therapeutic Recreation Ontario, 2015), this research intends to contribute to the limited research available to the field of TR, specifically how the relation of TR services delivered in a rural setting with older adults can contribute to the sense of community and increase the viability of the aging in place (AIP). This is directly in line with the Aging with Confidence Action Plan for Ontario Seniors that was introduced by the Wynne Government in 2017. 

Research Problem & Rational for Study :
    
After reading the research currently available it is clear there is a gap in the literature specifically pertaining to how the phenomenon of SOC can have a positive impact in decreasing social isolation of rural seniors in Ontario with an overarching goal of increasing the viability of AIP.

Seniors are the fastest growing age group in Ontario (Government of Ontario, 2017). By the year 2041 it is projected that 25% of Ontarians will be 65 and older, almost doubling from 3 million seniors in 2016, to 4.6 million in 2041 (Government of Ontario, 2017). In the County of Frontenac, the median age in 2016 was 43.6, the median age for Ontario was given the current demographic trend, the County of Frontenac has the potential to have a higher proportion of seniors than the rest of Ontario. 

By area, Ontario is the second largest province in Canada, and the most populous with nearly 40% of Canadians calling Ontario home (Statistics Canada, 2008). It is unsurprising, therefore, that despite having the lowest percentage of rural residents in Canada, Ontario has more rural residents than other provinces (Lauzon, Ragetlie, Caldwell, & Douglas, n.d.). Living in a rural community is a risk factor for social isolation (McDonald, 2011), research therefore is needed to combat social isolation for rural Ontario seniors. 

The theory of sense of community applies equally to both territorial communities (neighbourhoods), and rational communities (professional, spiritual, etc.) (McMillan & Chavis, 1986). Group social activities that target specific populations and interventions that include some form of educational component have both been found to effectively prevent and address social isolation and loneliness (Cattan, White, Bond, & Learmouth, 2005). This research will focus on increasing the SOC and decreasing social isolation, therefore increasing the viability of AIP, for senior residents in the County of Frontenac by means of a TR facilitated weekly walking group.

The toolkit Social Isolation of Seniors (Government of Canada, 2017), states the need for continued community partnerships to combat social isolation. This toolkit asks ‘how can social isolation and its effects be reduced?’ This paper aims to add to the research available for community practitioners to reduced social isolation for seniors in rural Ontario.
    
‘Our Time’, a community-based program aimed at promoting active and healthy lifestyles for older adults in Toronto found great success in an aging at home framework when engaging programing was initiated by a TR. The paper suggests the value of this type of program for use in other community housing to support isolated and frail older adults to live at home for as long as possible (Morellato & Ng-Gerritsen, 2015).
    
The AARP Foundation published a framework for Isolation in Adults Over 50 and found that isolation is due to a complex set of circumstances and factors that exist at the individual, social network, community, and societal levels. They identify a need for addressing neighborhood-level factors and their impact on health behaviors related to isolation (Elder & Retrum, 2012). 

Purpose of Research :
    
To evaluate the effectiveness of enhancing SOC and vialbility of AIP by decreasing social isolation through a TR lead nature-based walking group using the sense of community theory. The Sense of Community Index (SCI) (Sense of Community Index (SCI), n.d.) will be used at the beginning and the end of program. Social isolation will be measured by utilizing the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Item Bank v2.0 Social Isolation – Calibrated Items (Health Measures, 2012), it will be utilized at the beginning and the end of the program. Finally, a series of semi-structured interview questions will also be used at the beginning and the end of the eight-week walking program.

Research Question :
    
(1) Does connectedness to one’s community decrease the risk of social isolation, from a theory of community perspective?

(2) Can a TR facilitated walking group increase one’s SOC and decrease sense or risk of social isolation, therefore increasing the viability of AIP?