Impact of Motivational Interviewing on Readiness for Change and Self-care Behaviours of an Assisted Living Resident with Type I Diabetes

This case study examined the impact of motivational interviewing and a recreational therapy intervention grounded in self-determination on the self-managed care of Type I Diabetes of a 54-year-old male living in assisted living. Motivational interviewing is a strengths-based therapeutic intervention that increases client motivation and improves client outcomes when used in concurrence within a recreational therapy intervention. Motivational interviewing and adapted motivational interviewing techniques have been found to be effective in a variety of chronic conditions by increasing compliance to treatment, increasing intrinsic motivation, supporting autonomy, and encouraging engagement. This case study employed the therapeutic recreation process, typically referred to as APIE. In this case study, the following was implemented: an assessment of client strengths and areas for improvement, a developed treatment plan with goals and objectives, a recreational therapy intervention grounded in self-determination theory, and an evaluation of the clinical outcomes met. Results suggest that motivational interviewing as a complimentary treatment for self-managed Type 1 Diabetes and recreational therapy interventions grounded in self-determination improves client engagement in treatment and self-care.