Research Interests
Efficacy of Therapeutic Recreation interventions, therapeutic interventions for people with dementia, leisure and aging, clinical assessment, protocol development, research methods, quality improvement.
Membership
American Therapeutic Recreation Association
Michigan Therapeutic Recreation Association
David W. Thomas
EdD, CTRS
Program Director
Professor
EdD - Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
M.A. - University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO
B.A. - University of Western Colorado, Gunnison, CO
363 Marshall Office
313 Marshall Main
734.487.6839 Office
734.487.4096 Main
Grant Activity
Principle investigator of SCU efficacy to patient/family outcomes. $21,000 grant from Henry Ford Village, 2000-2002.
Independent project evaluator for $222,213 federally funded grant from the U.S. Department of Education: "Community Connection Project", Beaument Hospital, 1999-2003.
Selected Peer-Reviewed Publications
Thomas, D., & Smith, M. (2009). The effect of music on caloric consumption among nursing home residents with dementia. Activities, Adaptation & Aging, 33 (1), 1-16.
Thomas, D. (2008). Ukranian inpatient dementia care: A survey of two neuropsychiatric hospitals. Journal of Social Research and Practice, 7(2).
Thomas, D., Glogoski, C., Johnson, J. (2006). The effect of a supervised walking program on wandering among residents with dementia. Activities, Adaptation and Aging, 30, 1-13.
Thomas, D. (1999). Evaluating the relationship between premorbid leisure preferences and wandering among patients with dementia. Activities, Adaptation & Aging, 23, 33-48.
Thomas, D. & Butts, F. (1998). Leisure Motives of International Elderhostel Participants. Journal of Traveling & Marketing, 7, 31-38.
Thomas, D., Heitman, R., and Alexander, T. (1997) The effect of music on bathing cooperation among nursing home residents with dementia. Journal of Music Therapy, 34, 246-259
Thomas, D. (1997). Understanding the wanderer: A continuity of personality perspective. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 23, 16-24.
Thomas, D. (1996). A case study on the effects of a retrofitted dementia care unit on resident behaviors. American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 11, 8-14.
Thomas, D. (1995). Wandering: A proposed definition. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 21, 35-41.
