Careers

Kunter and Morgan text Chapter 5 Health Psychology

* How are recreational therapists different from recreational workers?

-Recreational workers develop, plan, organize, and direct recreational activities (such as aerobics, art and crafts, performing arts, camping) for both children and adults. They’re not limited to a specific clientele or persons with particular health-related issues. They’re employed in educational and university settings, nursing homes, park and recreational centers, community activity centers, health clubs and fitness centers, etc.

a. What types of duties might a recreational therapist perform?

* Provide treatment and recreational activities to individuals with physical or emotional disabilities in a variety of settings, including medical settings, community-based programs. Provide treatment services to assist individuals with disabilities or problems and deficits, whereas recreational workers generally work with healthy and/or disabled individuals with emphases on developing interests rather than treating the problem. They assess and treat individuals with physical or psychological problems. Use standardized assessments and observations, medical records. And collateral information to assess clients’ problems and develop treatment strategies targeting physical, mental or emotional well-being of clients.

b. Where are they likely to work?

* Employed in hospitals, nursing homes, community-based programs such as assisted living and outpatient physical and psychiatric rehabilitation facilities, residential and correctional centers, adult daycare facilities, and social service agencies.

c. Is this considered a “growth” area of employment?

* Yes: 15% by 2018 because of the rapidly increasing number of aging adults

* Who is an occupational therapy assistant likely to serve?

-They help occupational therapists provide rehabilitative services to patients with physical, developmental, psychological...