Diploma in Recreation Management in Gerontology

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This Ontario College Diploma program is unique in Ontario.

Recreation Management in Gerontology is a unique diploma program that will teach you the specialized skills required to work with older adults. Over the course of two years, you’ll learn how to design therapeutic programs for older adults that consider the physical, mental and spiritual perspectives of the aging process.

You’ll learn to develop strong communication skills – both from a management and interpersonal perspective. This work requires the ability to work with people across different life stages, so effective communication skills are essential to the job. You will go on to develop coordinator skills that will prepare you to manage physical, financial, and human resources.

You’ll also study the science and theory behind aging. This in-depth look at the biological changes of aging includes an understanding of diseases often related to aging like Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Hands-on learning is a major component of this program. To help you gain confidence as you learn to create specialized therapeutic programs, you’ll get lots of practice on-site at our 21,000+ square foot Simulation Centre facility and off-site with one of our field placement partners. You’ll also learn proper documentation and Resident Assessment Instrument – Minimum Data Set (RAI-MDS) training.

This academically challenging program will equip you with the skills required to provide therapeutic recreation in a variety of settings that include long-term care facilities, retirement homes, community-based service agencies, and adult day programs.

Apply to this program if you are someone who is energetic, organized, creative, and enjoys working with older adults.

Please note: While George Brown College encourages all members of our college community to get vaccinated, we only require students who will be living in our residence, The George, or who are varsity athletes to be vaccinated for Fall 2021. Similarly, many of our clinical placement partners strongly encourage students to be fully vaccinated prior to being placed with their agency, however, some have made this a requirement. As such, students who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 may not be able to complete the required clinical placement component of their program in the scheduled academic year. As decisions around vaccine requirements are continuously evolving, the Clinical Placement Office cannot guarantee a placement assignment in a facility that does not require the vaccine.

Your Field Education Options

Field education, also known as work-integrated learning, plays an important role in this program by integrating theoretical learning with practical experience in a workplace setting. Field education is offered in each semester with each experience building on the previous one.

You can expect to complete your field placements in a variety of settings and with older adults of differing needs and abilities.

Required Courses

Based on the results of your placement test, you may be required to take COMM 1003 (English Skills) or CESL 1003 (English Skills – ESL) before progressing to COMM 1007. Please note that you will be charged for the cost of this remedial course.

The graduate demonstrates the ability to:

• Function effectively as a member of an interprofessional team in the development and provision of health-promoting and life-enhancing services and programs for older adults.
• Accurately and comprehensively assess and record the ongoing needs of the older adult using a variety of widely used electronic systems.
• Develop, coordinate, deliver and evaluate a variety of services/programs that enhance clients’ level of functioning and quality of life by applying relevant research and theory to practice.
• Apply appropriate health and safety protocols in order to protect the health, safety, and well-being of their clients, their co-workers, and themselves.
• Communicate effectively using a variety of therapeutic techniques and in adherence with privacy and freedom of information legislation.
• Identify, select and use appropriate professional and community resources to meet the needs of the older adult.
• Ensure programs operate in compliance with relevant policy, legislation, and standards of practice for services to older adults in a variety of settings.
• Establish and maintain professional and ethical standards in the field of activation gerontology as set out by relevant professional bodies.
• Promote accessible, inclusive and responsive programs and services by recognizing the diverse needs and experiences of individuals, groups, families and communities.
• Manage physical, financial, and human resources in order to effectively coordinate services for older adults.

Your Career

The increase in the number of older adults has created a growing demand for workers with knowledge and skills specific to the needs of later life.

Graduates are employed to provide person-centered care through the management and delivery of recreational and social activities in a variety of settings such as:

• adult day centers
• active living centers
• community centers
• long-term care homes
• retirement homes
• community-based service agencies

As Canada's population continues to age, employment opportunities are growing rapidly.

Educational Pathways

Graduates of the Recreation Management in Gerontology program with a grade point average of 2.8 or higher can apply to complete a three-year B.A. in gerontology at Laurentian University in a reduced time frame (approximately 12–18 months). The exact time of completion will depend on existing post-secondary credentials. This degree is offered through distance education or at the Laurentian campus in Sudbury.

Graduates with a B.A. in gerontology from Laurentian University can apply to complete the Recreation Management in Gerontology diploma in one year.

Graduates of a health sciences program who have an interest in working in long-term care facilities should consider applying to our Interprofessional Complex and Long-Term Care postgraduate certificate. This two-semester program will teach you to coordinate and manage an interprofessional healthcare team of complex and long-term care professionals. The courses are delivered online and on-demand to accommodate working professionals. This program includes a clinical field placement component.

Future Study Options

Students who successfully complete this program may be considered for exemptions in other programs at George Brown College.