Foundations and Concepts of Therapeutic Recreation

This course has been beneficial to me in developing a more solid foundation to the service
delivery of therapeutic recreation services. I have learned the importance of providing
therapeutic interventions to specific populations based on the individuals strengths and needs by
creating appropriate goals to enhance ones quality of life. This course has also given me the
opportunity to create a program plan that I will soon implement. This will help me in the work
environment to create new individualized programs for the clients I serve. I have also had the
opportunity to participate in a leisure activity once a week for 10 weeks. This experience has
shown me that taking time for me is an important and vital part of my life, and allows me to
advocate on a personal level the importance of leisure activity.
Personal and Professional Development
This course has been very interesting and informative. We have had many Therapeutic
Recreation professionals visit and share what their specific profession is all about. This has been
fascinating for me as I was unaware of the many services that are available to people living in
Nova Scotia. These professionals all had one thing in common; passion for what they do. This
is something I admire as helping people live fulfilling lives is something I am also passionate
about. The field of therapeutic recreation encompasses a close knit group of professionals who
work closely with each other. These presentations have given me the opportunity to meet with
other professionals which will broaden my networking opportunities.
Skills for Practice
This course is focused on developing relationships with the clients and other professionals we
will work with by using effective verbal and non-verbal communication skills. Building rapport,
advocacy and showing empathy are also essential skills learned for providing therapeutic
recreation services to individuals we work with. Working with other professionals and the
dynamics surrounding interprofessional collaboration is important in creating the best health
outcomes for individuals and their families. We have completed twenty hours of volunteer work
to become familiar with the aspects of therapeutic recreation service delivery. During this
experience I have learned the importance of communicating effectively with clients who have
difficulty expressing themselves verbally and non-verbally. This experience will be helpful in
working with different populations who have had a variety of life experiences.
Anatomy and Physiology
This course is focused on the human body structures and systems and how they work. It is
beneficial to learn this information as it is important to understand how the different health
conditions affect the body. This is essential when providing therapeutic recreation to individuals
who have impairments or limitations with physical and mental health. It will help me to provide
appropriate therapeutic interventions to individuals knowing how their body is compromised and
adapt to their specific needs.

Techniques in Therapeutic Recreation Service Delivery

This course focused on the different models, theories and approaches to delivering recreation
therapy. Another concentration of this course was completing assessments and learning what the
proper techniques are for accurate documentation. Developing goals, objectives and completing
progress notes has helped me further develop my written communication skills. These skills are
vital when practicing therapeutic recreation as documentation of client interaction is proof of
communication. This will help me to write clear and accurate notes when delivering therapeutic
recreation.

Leadership and Group Facilitation

This course has provided an overview to creating, developing, and facilitating person-centered
program plans. It also examined group dynamics and the leadership styles when facilitating
therapeutic recreation. There was a requirement to complete 20 hours of volunteer work to help
build on leadership skills and techniques when facilitating groups. Hands-on experience has
been beneficial for me as this helps to build confidence and be aware of the role the facilitator
plays when delivering services. Understanding group development and dynamics will assist
when facilitating and being part of a group.

Health Conditions in Therapeutic Recreation

Learning about a variety of health conditions and how that can influence an individuals
recreation and leisure involvement has been the focus of this course. Health domains including
physical, social, cognitive, spiritual, and emotional were studied throughout the life of an
individual who is living with a health condition. Investigating evidence based research on the
impact of challenges associated with recreation involvement and living with a health condition
has been a valuable educational component. This information can help therapeutic recreation
professionals as we need to be knowledgeable of the research findings. These findings will be
useful when providing meaningful and beneficial assistance.
Work Placement Experiences
I completed both my work placement experiences at Bay Side Home in Barrington, Nova Scotia.
This home is a 62 bed facility and is guided by the EDEN philosophy of care. I learned a great
deal about the EDEN philosophy of care while on work placement. The person-centered
approach to care, striving to meet the needs of the whole person is an approach that I believe
works well. A holistic approach includes looking at the physical, intellectual, social, emotional,
and spiritual needs of an individual. During my work placements I have developed great rapport
with the residents and staff at the Home. Developing these relationships and contributing to the
team at Bay Side Home has helped me to expand my networking relationships with professionals
who work with older adults in the community in which I reside. This is an important aspect for

recreation professionals as we are a small, tight knit profession that is always looking for
opportunities, new ideas and support.
I have displayed my leadership skills by facilitating individual, small, and large group programs.
This has further developed my skills in modifying programs to suit the strengths of the individual
to ensure successful outcomes are achieved. I have also improved my verbal communication
skills by being clear, concise, and direct when facilitating programs. This skill is essential when
providing therapeutic recreation to older adults who may be experiencing cognitive impairment.
Being prepared and organized is also a skill that I have improved on. When I facilitated
programs independently, I needed to be sure to have all supplies and equipment ready, working
and available. This helped to ensure a positive experience was had by the participants.
My work placement at Bay Side Home has been a positive, educational, and enjoyable
experience. The staff and volunteers who work at the home are there for the residents and strive
to provide care at its best. The residents are happy and say that they have a good quality of life
that has plenty of opportunities to encourage growth and personal development even in their later
stages of life.
Special Project
While at Bay Side Home completing my work placement experience I had the opportunity to
meet with each resident individually to complete an Elder Questionnaire developed by the EDEN
Alternative. This survey had twenty-one statements regarding life at the Home. It was a
confidential survey that didnt have any right or wrong answers and focused on how the resident
felt about certain situations and about life. While collecting this data for the Home, I gained
experience and skills with interviewing and empathetic listening. It was stated at residents
council that I would be conducting these surveys, but not all residents were aware of this
questionnaire. The statements were mostly clear and concise in nature however some of the
residents who have slight cognitive impairment had difficulty understanding the wording. I
would rephrase those statements to help make it clearer as to what was being stated. I had to
announce these statements to each resident and allow them time to process and answer without
persuasion. The survey included statements like I am lonely and I feel helpless at times.
When a resident felt these to be true, I showed empathetic listening skills by displaying
understanding and compassion. This special project was a great way to build on my interviewing
and communication skills.