Angela Andiorio
Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist
As a child, I spent many countless and memorable hours with my grandparents cooking and baking favorite recipes, learning about gardening and simply appreciating each others’ company. I would take time to visit all of their elderly neighbors and thoroughly enjoyed hearing their stories and learning about their families and lives. I could sense how grateful they were to spend time together and the feeling was mutual. My love for my grandparents and strong ties to the older adults in my family and community helped to shape what would become my future career path and calling.
Professionally, I am a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS). I have a BS degree from the Pennsylvania State University and I have been leading recreational programming with older adults both in community and health care settings since 1997. A major part of my job is to remove obstacles, or barriers to recreation participation so that people can participate in activities that they love! My inspiration in working with caregivers, in particular, was sparked during my thesis research. I interviewed caregivers of people with dementia and through their first-hand account, explored how their individual leisure lifestyles changed as a result of their caregiving experiences. Two key coping mechanisms stood out: seeking support from others and making time for themselves.
Through my professional experiences and in my own personal journey, I have seen people blossom with the joy they receive from participating in their favorite activities…but what happens when these activities take a back seat or are lost in the shuffle of daily caregiving tasks?
In my own family, I saw the health consequences of caregiver burnout and I wanted to develop an innovative way to help take care of caregivers and bring more joy into their lives. In essence, I wanted to show them how to take care of themselves by living more fully. When caregivers find space and time in their lives to support this kind of care they become empowered to enjoy every moment. In this light, space & time was founded in 2008 to offer services designed to improve caregivers’ well-being.
Why choose space & time among all of the other options?
Dedication:
My passion is to help family caregivers increase their overall well-being and attain an optimal leisure lifestyle that will support and nurture them as they continue on their caregiving journeys.
space & time is the only service dedicated to specifically help take care of caregivers through leisure education and other therapeutic recreation techniques, such as Yoga that empower caregivers.
Compassion:
I offer a friendly and warm approach to learning and a patient and supportive approach while we work to overcome obstacles.
I believe that everyone is always doing their personal best and practice non-judgment when working with others.
Experience:
I have earned the title of Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) through the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) as well as my Yoga teaching certification in the Pranakriya tradition.
I respect your privacy and you can be assured your information will be kept confidential.
In addition to working one-on-one, I also provide education and training for groups.
Cost-effectiveness:
This approach is community-focused and preventative in nature.
Taking better care of yourself and having a more positive caregiving experience can prevent burnout, chronic stress or hospitalization.
What you learn will help you to move forward and make positive life-changes that are sustainable.
Currently, services offered by space & time are also available for members of the Time Trade Circle, a wonderful, local resource that helps to build and support our community.
Green Business Practices
space & time is committed to sustainability, social responsibility and eco-friendly efforts.
One of the many ways this is accomplished is by powering the website with 100% renewable green energy sources such as wind and solar power.
space & time will try to adhere to green practices as much as possible and will recommend recycled, reusable and biodegradable products for all of our activities.
In many cases, we will work with leisure resources you already have in your space by repurposing, reorganizing and reusing what exists to offer the best support.
In terms of leisure, space & time strives to recommend activities that are local, community-focused, nature-based, family and home-oriented. As partners, space & time will support you as you rediscover leisure in your life and become empowered to enjoy every moment.
Empowering caregivers to enjoy every moment.