Recreation Management in Gerontology Program (C152)

Program Description

Leadership Claims

This Ontario College Diploma program is unique in Ontario.

Program Overview

The Recreation Management in Gerontology program will provide you with specialized knowledge in the field of aging and the ability to design and deliver meaningful therapeutic programs to enhance the quality of life of older adults.

Graduates of this program meet and exceed the requirements as outlined in the Fixing Long-Term Care Act to work as the recreation lead or as a recreation team staff member.

Full Description

The Recreation Management in Gerontology (C152) diploma program will teach you the specialized skills you need to work with older adults. Over the course of two years, you’ll learn how to design therapeutic activity programs for older adults that consider the physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual perspectives of the aging process. This is a well-established and industry-respected program that has been training students in the field for over 30 years.

You’ll learn to develop strong interpersonal communication skills that will support your ability to work with people across different life stages—an essential aspect of this job. You will also develop effective business communication skills that will help prepare you to co-ordinate and manage physical, financial and human resources of a recreation department. 

You’ll study the science and theory behind aging and will take an in-depth look at the biological changes of aging. You will gain an understanding of diseases often related to aging, like Alzheimer's. This program will provide you with new ways of thinking about dementia and innovative ways of meeting the needs of those in your care using the DementiAbilitiy methods. In addition, you will have the opportunity to explore complementary and alternative therapies and examine perspectives about end-of-life care. 

You will have hands-on training to practise and apply what you are learning both on-site at our nearly 24,000+-square-foot Simulation Centre facility, and off-site with one of our 600+ field placement partners.

We will prepare you for a career in a health-care setting by using the latest industry software. You will learn proper documentation techniques and how to use comprehensive care planning tools such as Resident Assessment Instrument – Minimum Data Set (RAI-MDS) training.

This long-standing program will equip you with the skills you need to successfully create and deliver innovative, specialized therapeutic recreational programs for older adults in a variety of settings that include long-term care facilities, retirement homes, hospitals, community-based service agencies and adult day programs.

Apply to this program if you are energetic, organized, creative, and enjoy working with older adults and want a rewarding career.

PLEASE NOTE: Some of our clinical or work placement partners may require students to show proof of full vaccination. As such, students who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 may not be able to complete the required field placement component of their program in the regularly scheduled time frame. Full COVID-19 vaccination means the student must provide proof of two doses and a QR code.

Your Field Education Options

Field education, also known as work-integrated learning, plays an important role in this Recreation Management in Gerontology program by integrating theoretical learning with practical experience in a workplace setting. Field education is offered in each semester, with each experience building on the previous one.

You can expect to complete your field placements in a variety of health-care settings and with older adults of differing needs and abilities.

Career & Postgraduate Study Opportunities

Career Options

The increase in the number of older adults in Canada has created a growing demand for workers with knowledge and skills specific to the needs of later life.

Recreation Management in Gerontology graduates are employed to provide person-centred care through the management and delivery of recreational and social activities in a variety of settings, such as:

  • adult day centres
  • active living centres
  • community centres
  • long-term care homes
  • retirement homes
  • community-based service agencies

Educational Pathways

Graduates of the Recreation Management in Gerontology program with a grade point average of 2.8 or higher can apply to complete a three-year B.A. in gerontology at Laurentian University in a reduced time frame (approximately 12–18 months). The exact time of completion will depend on existing post-secondary credentials. This degree is offered through distance education or at the Laurentian campus in Sudbury, Ontario. For more information, contact admissions@laurentian.ca.

Graduates with a B.A. in gerontology from Laurentian University can apply to complete the Recreation Management in Gerontology diploma in one year. For more information, email Program Co-ordinator and Professor Pamela Gauci – pamela.gauci@georgebrown.ca.

Graduates of a health sciences program who have an interest in working in long-term care facilities should consider applying to our Interprofessional Complex and Long-Term Care (S417) postgraduate certificate.

(S417) Program Details:

  • two-semester program 
  • you will learn to co-ordinate and manage an interprofessional healthcare team of complex and long-term care professionals
  • delivered online and on-demand to accommodate working professionals
  • includes a clinical field placement component

Alumni Impact

We are immensely proud of the contributions of our alumni in Toronto and around the globe.

From Michelin-starred restaurants to major construction, entertainment, community and financial organizations, our graduates are truly making an impact across a range of industries.

Latest Alumni Stories

Watch this short testimonial from a Recreation Management in Gerontology student to hear about her recent learning experience in the program.

Lynn Wei, Recreation Management in Gerontology (C152) Student
Ontario College Diploma

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