Recreation Therapy

Recreation Therapy at Hawthorne

Recreation Therapists provide a variety of recreational services that maximize residents’ physical, cognitive, social, emotional and spiritual well-being. Recreation therapists assess the needs of each resident, develop individualized plans, and deliver important programs and services to all.
Ultimately, our goal is to ensure that our seniors have ample opportunities to enjoy a rich, full life, maximizing their abilities and raising their levels of enjoyment.

Education and Training
From the Canadian Therapeutic Recreation Association (CTRA):

What is Therapeutic Recreation?
Therapeutic Recreation is a health care profession that utilizes a therapeutic process, involving leisure, recreation and play as a primary tool for each individual to achieve their highest level of independence and quality of life.

What does a Recreation Therapist Do?
Recreation Therapists are among the allied health professionals who work in a variety of health care settings. Recreation Therapists use forms of recreation, leisure, and play as treatments modalities to support purposeful and meaningful interventions that are based on individual strengths and values, and are guided by assessments. These health care professionals utilize the APIED (Assess, Plan, Implement, Evaluate, and Document) process to direct service delivery.

Qualifications of a Recreation Therapist
Baccalaureate degree with a major in Therapeutic Recreation preferred
Professional member of a Therapeutic Recreation Association
Maintains ongoing education in the area of Therapeutic Recreation
A Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) is preferred. Certification is attained by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification® by voluntarily writing an international exam, and maintaining ongoing continuing education and professional practice hours. Certification requires a bachelor’s degree in recreational therapy, completion of a supervised internship of at least 560 hours, and passing an exam.

What are the benefits of Therapeutic Recreation?

  • Promoting leisure independence and optimal leisure lifestyle
  • Development of healthy living strategies through leisure
  • Stress management
  • Social engagement
  • Self-efficacy
  • Increasing independence and promoting self reliance
  • Leisure participation, activation and enjoyment
  • Achievement of goals via group and one to one interventions
  • Goal setting and outcome measures
  • Community inclusion
  • Provide strategies to adapt to the environment/overcome barriers related to illness or disability