Recreational therapists employ activities to treat or maintain the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of patients. Activities include sports, games, dance, drama, arts and crafts, and music, as well as field trips for sightseeing, ball games, or picnics. They help individuals build confidence, socialize effectively, and remediate the effects of illness or disability. Recreational therapists should not be confused with recreation workers, who organize recreational activities primarily for enjoyment. (Recreation workers are discussed elsewhere in the Handbook.)
In clinical settings, such as hospitals and rehabilitation centers, recreational therapists treat and rehabilitate individuals with specific medical problems, usually in cooperation with physicians, nurses, psychologists, social workers, and physical and occupational therapists. In nursing homes, residential facilities, and community recreation departments, they use leisure activities mostly group oriented to improve general health and well-being, but may also treat medical problems. In these settings they may be called activity directors or therapeutic recreation specialists.
Recreational therapists assess patients based on information from medical records, medical staff, family, and patients themselves. They then develop and carry out therapeutic activity programs consistent with patient needs and interests. For instance, patients having trouble socializing may be helped to play games with others, a right-handed person with a right-side paralysis may be helped to use their left arm to throw a ball or swing a racket. They may instruct patients in relaxation techniques to reduce stress and tension, in stretching and limbering exercises, and in individual and group sports.
Community based recreational therapists work in park and recreation departments, special education programs, or programs for the elderly or disabled. In these programs therapists help patients develop leisure activities and provide them with opportunities for exercise, mental stimulation, creativity, and fun.
Recreational therapists observe and record patients' participation, reactions, and progress. These records are used by the medical staff and others, to monitor progress, to justify changes or end treatment, and for billing.
Recreational therapists may prepare periodic reports on patients.
Recreational therapists often plan events and keep records in offices and provide services in special activity rooms. In community settings they might also work with clients in a recreation room, on a playing field, or in a swimming pool.
Therapists often lift and carry equipment as well as participate in activities. Recreational therapists generally work a 40-hour week, which may include some evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Recreational therapists held about 30,000 jobs in 1992. About one-half were in hospitals and one-third were in nursing homes. Others were in residential facilities, community mental health centers, adult day care programs, correctional facilities, community programs for people with disabilities, and substance abuse centers. Some therapists were self-employed, generally contracting with nursing homes or community agencies to develop and oversee programs.
A bachelor's degree in therapeutic recreation (or in recreation with an option in therapeutic recreation) is the usual requirement for hospital and other clinical positions. An associate degree in recreational therapy; training in art, drama, or music therapy; or qualifying work experience may be sufficient for activity director positions in nursing homes.
The National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification certifies therapeutic recreation specialists. Specialists must have a bachelor's degree and pass a certification exam. Some employers require individuals to be certified; others prefer it.
There are 105 programs that prepare recreational therapists. As of 1993, 54 programs were accredited by the National Council on Accreditation. Most offer bachelor's degrees, although some offer associate or master's degrees.
In addition to therapeutic recreation courses in clinical practice and helping skills, program design, management, and professional issues, students study human anatomy, physiology, abnormal psychology, medical and psychiatric terminology, characteristics of illnesses and disabilities, and the concepts of mainstreaming and normalization. Courses cover professional ethics, assessment and referral procedures, and the use of adaptive and medical equipment. In addition, 360 hours of internship under the supervision of a certified therapeutic recreation specialist are required.
Recreational therapists should be comfortable working with disabled people and be patient, tactful, and persuasive. Ingenuity and imagination are needed in adapting activities to individual needs and good physical coordination is necessary when demonstrating or participating in recreational events.
Employment of recreational therapists is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2005, because of anticipated expansion in long-term care, physical and psychiatric rehabilitation, and services for the disabled.
Hospitals will provide a large number of recreational therapy jobs through the year 2005. A growing number of these will be in hospital-based adult day care and out-patient programs, or in units offering short-term mental health and alcohol or drug abuse services. Long-term rehabilitation and psychiatric hospitals will provide additional jobs.
The rapidly growing number of older people is expected to spur job growth for activity directors in nursing homes, retirement communities, adult day care programs, and social service agencies. Continued growth is expected in community residential facilities as well as day care programs for people with disablities.
Job prospects are expected to be favorable for those with a strong clinical background.
According to a survey of American Therapeutic Recreation Association members, the average salary for recreational therapists was $25,557 in 1991. According to limited data from a survey conducted by the National Association of Activity Professionals, the average salary of activity directors in nursing homes was between $15,000 and $25,000 a year in 1990.
The average annual salary for all recreational therapists in the Federal Government in nonsupervisory, supervisory, and managerial positions was about $33,499 in 1993.
Recreational therapists design activities to help people with disabilities lead more fulfilling and independent lives. Other workers who have similar jobs are orientation therapists for the blind, art therapists, drama therapists, dance therapists, music therapists, occupational therapists, and rehabilitation counselors.
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Reprinted with Permission of U. S. Department of Labor