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. The program spans 52 weeks, incorporating a placement component. The placement is conducted within the first year after completing the initial 6 months of theoretical study.
Alternatively, the program extends to 17 months, comprising 12 months of theory and an additional 5 months for placement (i.e. the placement is scheduled after the completion of the 12-month theoretical phase).

Graduates of Recreation Therapy with a specialization in Gerontology work in a variety of healthcare 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. Graduates are prepared to start careers in the supervision of seniors in the growing field of gerontology, as well as with clients of all ages and abilities in long-term care homes, health care facilities, mental health, and addiction settings, adapted sports organizations, rehabilitation centers, correctional facilities, social service settings, community-based agencies and more.

The Recreation Therapy Gerontology Diploma will prepare you to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate a wide range of leisure services for people with barriers to participating in leisure activities. Such services might include arts and crafts, dance, music, sports, games, aquatics, and group outings.

Recreational therapy is used in the fields of gerontology, pedagogy (the method and practice of teaching, especially as an academic subject or theoretical concept), psychology, rehabilitation, and more.

Graduates may find employment in a variety of care settings including:

• Recreation Assistant
• Program Planner
• Recreation Leader
• Activity Worker in a variety of settings, including:
  – hospitals
  – mental-health centres
  – long-term care homes
  – rehabilitation centres
  – correctional facilities
  – youth assessment centres
  – group homes