Program Title: Recreation Therapy – Gerontology
Credential: Diploma
Delivery: Online or Classroom
Program Length: 52 Weeks/27.88 Hours Per Week
Program Availability: Full-time
Offered: This program starts every Monday.Program Description
Recreation Therapy Gerontology is a health care profession that utilizes a therapeutic process, involving leisure, recreation and play as a primary tool for everyone to achieve their highest level of independence and quality of life. Graduates of the Recreation Therapy with a specialization in Gerontology work in a variety of health care settings. Developed using the standards within the Essential Competency Framework for Therapeutic Recreation the curriculum articulates the competencies necessary to practice as a Therapeutic Recreation Professional in Ontario.
Students have fifty-two (52) weeks to complete their program requirements, starting from the date of their first course.
Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
1.1: Student understands the collaborative process involved in assessment whereby the therapeutic recreation professional collects and reviews comprehensive information relevant to a client’s leisure lifestyle to determine goals for therapeutic recreation intervention.
1.2: Student understands the purpose and use of tools and techniques used within the assessment process.
1.3: Student understands the process of analyzing assessment data.
2.1: Student understands the process of developing an individualized intervention plan that is goal focused, outcome oriented and client-centred.
2.2: Student understands the importance of collaborating with clients and relevant care providers to establish a client-specific intervention plan.
2.3: Student understands the process of selecting interventions that facilitate client goal attainment.
3.1: Student understands the process of designing comprehensive and specific therapeutic recreation programs using a continuum model of service delivery and providing clients with a range of opportunities for functional intervention, leisure education and recreation participation.
3.2: Student understands how to identify potential risks during program development and ways to take action to minimize risks.
4.1: Student understands the process of delivering diverse therapeutic recreation opportunities and programs using available resources.
4.2: Student understands how to deliver therapeutic recreation programs that ensure client safety.
4.3: Student understands how to support and provide direction to personnel involved in the delivery of therapeutic recreation services including other Recreation Therapy staff, volunteers, and students.
5.1: Student understands how to document in a manner that meets specific professional, agency, and/or government requirements.
5.2: Student understands how to systematically record and access accurate, objective and relevant information about a client and general therapeutic recreation services.
5.3: Student understands the importance of maintaining confidentiality and security in the transmission, storage and management of client information.
6.1: Student has the ability to identify whether the client’s goals and objectives are achieved based on outcome-oriented measures.
6.2: Student has the ability to identify the quality, effectiveness, and/or outcomes of a therapeutic recreation program and will apply findings for decision making purposes.
7.1: Student has the ability to identify, support and develop appropriate partnerships with a range of community service providers to support client leisure needs.
7.2: Student has the ability to develop intervention plans that are based on knowledge of approaches for inclusion.
7.3: Student understands how to recruit and retain volunteers and establish community connections and opportunities.
8.1: Student has knowledge of the resources necessary to develop comprehensive research proposals.
8.2: Student understands a variety of research methods and statistical techniques.
8.3: Student has the knowledge and skills to effectively communicate research findings.
8.4: Student understands the impact of research on therapeutic recreation service delivery and its direct link to demonstrating efficacy.
9.1: Student understands how to establish and maintain effective and professional communication with clients, professional colleagues and relevant others.
9.2: Student understands how to use culturally relevant client-centred principles in the communication process.
9.3: Student understands effective collaboration and interprofessional teamwork.
10.1: Student understands the scope of professional services within the field of therapeutic recreation.
10.2: Student understands TRO’s Code of Ethics, professional obligations and any applicable legislation that may impact practice and conduct.
10.3: Student understands how to integrate theoretical knowledge within area(s) of practice.
11.1: Student understands the value in seeking opportunities which expand one’s knowledge, skills, and abilities in therapeutic recreation service delivery and practice.
11.2: Student understands the value in participating in training and staff development opportunities related to direct and indirect client care in one’s employment setting.
11.3: Student understands the value of participating in activities for the advancement of the field of therapeutic recreation.
Your Career
Graduates of the program should find employment in health or human service organizations such as:
- Acute, chronic care and other specialized hospitals
- First Nation, Provincial agencies/facilities for individuals with psychiatric or developmental disabilities
- Rehabilitation programs
- Children’s treatment centres
- Municipal recreation departments
- Long term care facilities/Adult day programs
- Correctional programs and facilities
- Community/private agencies serving people with illness disability
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Admission Requirements
College Eligibility
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent; OR
- Academic and Career Entrance (ACE) Certificate; OR
- General Educational Development (GED); OR
- Mature Student status (19 years of age or older and without a high school diploma at the start of the program).
Call the Admissions Office at 1 (800) 267-2577 for more details. Academic prerequisites for this program may be obtained free of charge through Academic Upgrading.
Note: Employers may require current Emergency First Aid and CPR courses and a criminal reference check. Prior to commencing placement students may be required to provide a record of immunization and a tuberculosis test. All associated costs are the responsibility of the student.
Application Process
Program intake – Apply to this program by visiting our Registration page. If you are entering into this program as a mature student please attach your resume when submitting your registration information online. -
Courses
Semester 1
Basic Study Skills
Indigenous Canada
Foundations of Therapeutic Recreation: 45 Hours
Sociology of Aging: 45 Hours
Adult Development and Aging: 45 Hours
Wellness: Health Promotion in Therapeutic Recreation: 45 Hours
Essentials of Business Communication (Written & Oral): 60 Hours
Human Physiology: 45 HoursSemester 2
Fundamentals of Abnormal Psychology: 45 Hours
Leisure Services in Older Adults: 45 Hours
Inclusive Therapeutic Recreation: 45 Hours
Communications, Documentation and Interpersonal Collaboration: 60 Hours
Therapeutic Recreation Therapy Assessment /Field Placement Practicum: 230 Hours
Therapeutic Recreation Therapy Intervention Plan: 60 HoursSemester 3
Therapeutic Recreation Therapy Program Development and Service Delivery: 75 Hours
Therapeutic Recreation Therapy Evaluation: 45 Hours
Therapeutic Recreation Therapy Leadership: 45 Hours
Therapeutic Recreation Therapy Trends and Community Practice: 60 Hours
Therapeutic Recreation Therapy Research: 45 Hours
Therapeutic Recreation Therapy Professional Accountability and Professional Development: 90 Hours
Therapeutic Recreation Therapy Gerontology Preparation and Field Placement Practicum: 275 HoursEvery attempt is made to ensure the accuracy of information provided on our website. The College reserves the right to modify any course, program, curriculum, fee, timetable, or campus location at any time.
Register for this course.
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Course Descriptions
Semester 1
Basic Study Skills
This course will enable students to assess their current study skills and plan for improvement. Students will practice time-management techniques for successful studying. Students will learn to develop powerful reading skills and practice memory techniques to enhance ability to learn and improve test performance. This course will also help students to develop specific study skills for mathematics and related subjects and implement an action plan to improve them.Foundations of Therapeutic Recreation
In this subject, students will be introduced to foundational concepts that are essential for understanding the therapeutic recreation profession. Students will also be exposed to contemporary models of practice, including significant attention to strength-based models and approaches to practice.
Sociology of Aging
In this subject, students will learn about the full picture of aging and the challenges and new demands on Canada’s healthcare, retirement income, and housing resources. Students will be exposed to new models of aging to fit new patterns of social experience with a focus on the concept of successful aging.
Adult Development and Aging
In this subject, students will learn a uniquely positive perspective on aging. Adult Development and Aging, The Canadian Experience, while challenging students to examine their own ageism and to consider the gains as well as the losses people experience across adulthood.
Wellness: Health Promotion in Therapeutic Recreation
In this subject, students will learn physical and mental, social and sexual concepts and explore all aspects of health, including mind, body and spirit. Students will also explore the latest research in health promotion in therapeutic recreation.
Essentials of Business Communication (Written & Oral)
In this subject, students will focus on written and oral communication skills in a technologically enhanced workplace and gain confidence in their communication skills.
Human Physiology
In this subject, students will learn about the central theme of homeostasis, to support their understanding of how the mechanisms of body systems and physiological concepts are linked together. Students will also be exposed to the most current Canadian and International physiological research, statistics, and relevant examples of the body’s function in diseases, exercise, and health.
Semester 2
Fundamentals of Abnormal PsychologyIn this subject, students will learn the interactions of various forces that contribute to psychopathology. Balancing biological, psychological, social, and cultural approaches, this subject takes an integrative approach with a modern, and scientifically valid method for studying abnormal psychology.
Leisure Services in Older Adults
In this subject, students will learn a balanced perspective of current knowledge from cutting-edge research from the fields of both gerontology and leisure studies. Students will also gain insights into delivery of leisure services in older adults’ communities and long-term care environments.
Inclusive Therapeutic Recreation
In this subject, students will learn about the groups they’ll likely meet as professionals. They’ll look at the socio-demographic characteristics of each group, the factors that affect their recreation participation, and approaches for serving the needs of each population. They’ll also be encouraged to examine their own biases and think about how those biases could affect their ability to provide services to their clients.
Communications, Documentation and Interpersonal Collaboration
In this subject, students will learn the art of how to communicate effectively, ease patient anxiety, increase compliance, and enhance health care interactions. Students will also learn both the good and bad responses caregivers can provide in stressful situation, as well as techniques for improving their skills.
Therapeutic Recreation Therapy Assessment
In this subject, students will learn how to assess clients in order to determine their specifics needs. Students will review assessment protocols for various consumer groups including older adults, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, people with physical disabilities and those from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Therapeutic Recreation Therapy Intervention Plan
In this subject, students will look at the systemic practice of therapeutic recreation as an evidence-based and best practice approach to techniques and processes. Students will discover that by improving and standardizing practice is fundamental to increasing the ability to select interventions based on their potential to impact client’s outcomes.
Therapeutic Recreation Therapy Gerontology Preparation and Practicum 1 (Entry level)
As an important member of the healthcare team, recreation therapists will find roles in a variety of healthcare organizations, including Long term care, Seniors day programs; Senior centres; Hospitals, and Seniors Community-based programs. In this entry-level role, focusing on supporting seniors’ recreational activities and under the direction of the designated recreation therapist, students will apply their foundational learning in a variety of essential recreation therapy activities.
Semester 3
Therapeutic Recreation Therapy Program Development and Service Delivery
In this subject, students will learn a comprehensive three-step plan for successful programming of services, programs leadership, and understanding operational management of program systems in recreation and leisure services organizations.
Therapeutic Recreation Therapy Evaluation
In this subject, students will learn the foundations of evaluation to measure the effectiveness of the intervention or serving through fact finding.
Therapeutic Recreation Therapy Leadership
In this subject, students will learn the essentials aspects of professional practice while developing a leadership mind-set. The book focuses on the day-to-day responsibilities of the therapeutic recreation specialist (TRS) while integrating ethical considerations into each aspect of the job.
Therapeutic Recreation Therapy Trends and Community Practice
Students understands how to create and support opportunities for client involvement in and connection to a wide range of services and resources in the community and the emerging trends shaping recreation therapy for the aging population.
Therapeutic Recreation Therapy Research
Conducting research, including how to identify, measure and evaluate issues in health care settings with a focus on recreation therapy; how to design research studies, choose the appropriate sample, collect data, conduct statistical analysis, and apply findings.
Therapeutic Recreation Therapy Professional Accountability and Professional Development
In this subject, students will learn the importance of practicing in a safe ethical manner in the scope of practice of accountability in the recreation therapy profession. Students will also learn the essentials tools of job search and the value of continuous learning that supports professional and skill development.
Therapeutic Recreation Therapy Gerontology Preparation and Practicum 2 (Independent Level) – Long-Term Care; Other Health Institution With Older AdultsAs an important member of the healthcare team, recreation therapists will find roles in a variety of healthcare organizations, including Long-Term care, Seniors day programs, Senior centres; Hospitals, and Seniors Community-based programs. In this independent-level role, focusing on supporting seniors’ recreational activities and as a part of a collaborative team, students will apply their foundational learning and knowledge of the recreation assessment processes n a variety of essential recreation therapy activities.
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Fees & Expenses
Tuition fees listed are in effect for this academic year.
- Tuition Fee: $7,670.00
- Textbook Fee: $2,129.00
- Registration Fee: $100.00
- Advance Standing Fee: $100.00
- Shipping Fee: $61.00
Total Fees: $10,060.00
Optional Fees
- Wonderlic Online Mature Student Test: $100.00
- Advance Standing Assessment: $150.00
- Optional: First Aid/CPR: $125.00
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