As we age, simple activities we have always loved may become more difficult. Whether it is walking along the seawall, singing karaoke, or cooking at home, age can sneak up on us and our bodies may start to slow down. Therapeutic Recreation Assistants are tasked with the important job of making sure older adults stay…
As a world, we are all in the messy middle part of the COVID-19 pandemic. It began quietly enough and we are now several months into the year doing what we must to endure. Meanwhile, we are to self-isolate while staying connected with our loved ones. Thankfully, we have technology like video calling to help.
Going back to school as an adult learner certainly adds a bit of chaos into your life. Juggling work, family and schoolwork is possible but it requires some diligent schedule management. In my case, I chose not to work while in Gerontology school knowing that it would be difficult to devote my attention to both….
Have you ever made a decision that changed the course of your life? Earlier this year, I did. After spending the last decade immersed in a career in the financial services industry, I decided to pursue a path that would forever change how I viewed people, society and the aging population in particular. It all…
There is no better time to study therapeutic recreation. Canada’s aging population needs professionals who understand gerontology, and value the wellbeing of their community’s seniors. Therapeutic recreation focuses on effectively using recreational activities to promote these seniors’ optimal health, in a compassionate, “person-centred” way. Once you start your program, you will learn the methods, processes,…
Managing the growing population of elderly patients with dementia in Canada is one of the biggest challenges currently facing our health services. The Alzheimer Society estimates that one in twenty people over the age of 65, and as many as one in four of those over 85, suffer from some form of dementia. With that…
This September marks the fourth international World Alzheimer’s Month—a time for care professionals to reflect on the progressive dementia affecting more and more people worldwide. If you’re considering a diploma in gerontology, this month offers an opportunity to learn about a disease impacting many of the patients you’ll encounter throughout your career. Understanding its causes…
Many seniors, especially those in long-term care systems, spend a substantial amount of time being cared for by various healthcare professionals. While frequent visits with doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, and other professionals are essential to maintaining good health, spending so much time discussing health ailments can become quite tiring. Therapeutic Recreation focuses on finding leisure activities…
As we get older, our bodies change in ways that are often associated with “slowing down”. Changes happen on a cellular level, and therefore affect everything; from our organs, to our bones and joints. As we grow older, these gradual changes are completely normal, but it’s the lifestyle choices we make that impact how well…
One of the perks of having a therapeutic recreation diploma is the opportunity to incorporate your own zest for life into your work. Therapeutic recreation professionals often deal with patients who have difficulty expressing themselves through more traditional means, and employing creative methods may be the only way to help someone relieve stress and tension,…