Why is the Rehabilitation to Recreation Program important for the Victorian community?
People spend weeks, months and years in hospitals and rehabilitation centres as part of their recovery. Whilst in rehabilitation, individuals receive medical and allied health support to assist in their recovery and they can talk to other patients who are in a similar situation. The transition from rehabilitation to home, community and working life means many of these important support systems are lost. Many people experience anxiety, depression and are overwhelmed by the changes needed and implications their disability has to undertaking everyday activities like having a shower or driving a car.
A growing body of evidence shows that community-based and multi-disciplinary rehabilitation is an important strategy in the recovery process for people with a range of disabilities. “While the health sector places significant focus on acute care, and downstream on community care, it is rehabilitation that often provides the glue between those two sectors” (The AROC Annual Report: the state of rehabilitation in Australia 2006, Simmonds and Stevermuer).
The rehabilitation process is also an important preventative measure to address further disability and disadvantage. The effectiveness of rehabilitation can be enhanced by increasing the intensity of therapy and developing models of rehabilitation that provide alternatives to inpatient care. Factors that reduce the efficiency of rehabilitation services include the lack of options for managing younger people with acquired disability in the community (Medical Journal of Australia online, New and Poulos, MJA 2008; 189 (6): 340-343).
One-in-five Australians have a disability, and this number is predicted to rise (National Disability Strategy, 2008). There is mounting evidence to show that people with a disability have consistently lower levels of participation in sport and recreation, and are at a greater risk of chronic disease. Just 28.2% of males with a disability and 21.1% of females with a disability participate in sport and recreation (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2008) compared with the general population of 64.2% adult males and 61.2% of adult females (Australian Institute of Health and Wellbeing, 2008). Physical activity, social connection and freedom from discrimination are among the key social and economic determinants of mental and physical health (Participation for health: A framework for action 2009 – 2013, VicHealth, 2010).
We know from the experience of Disability Sport & Recreation members that participation in sport and recreation has contributed enormously to their recovery process. Participation in sport and recreation provides physical and mental health benefits and helps build confidence for people with a recently acquired disability. This then makes it easier for them to take part in all other aspects of community, working and family life. This has a positive effect for carers, friends, family members and colleagues as they come to terms with the impact themselves.