Gain the knowledge and skills needed to work in therapeutic and leisure recreational programming and services for older adults. You will learn to plan, promote, deliver and evaluate effective programs for clientele in various settings, including: personal care homes, extended health centres, adult day centres, assisted living and other community based programs.
Workplace safety, privacy and health regulations are key components of the program.
You will be taught by industry-experienced instructors through integrated workplace experience and two field work placements.
NOTE: Due to circumstances related to COVID-19, students in the fast-track TRF program will be required to complete First Aide/CPR through an external provider and submit documentation supporting completion in order to proceed to practicum and graduate from their program.
You can complete this program through part-time studies. To learn how, see Therapeutic Recreation Facilitator for Older Adults.
DOCUMENT SUBMISSION
Upload Through Your Future Student Account
If you do not have a Future Student Account or require assistance, please contact our Student Service Centre at 204-632-2327.
Internationally Educated Applicants - visit www.rrc.ca/credentials for credential assessment information.
However, if you apply within six weeks of the start date of the program, this item is due within 5 days of applying.
It is recommended that you have basic computer skills, familiarity with word processing and using the Internet for research. If you do not have these skills, it is strongly recommended that you take a basic computer skills course.
Regular Admission Requirements
Mature Student Admission Requirements
If you are 19 years of age or older and have been out of high school for a minimum of one year at time of application, and you do not meet the regular admission requirements, you may apply under the Mature Student admission requirements.
Program Progression Requirements
Program progression requirements are not due within 15 days of applying and should be submitted after you start classes.
| English Language Assessment | Minimum Required Levels | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| L - Listening, S - Speaking, R - Reading, W - Writing | L | S | R | W |
| AEPUCE
(Academic English Program of University and College Entrance )
Requirement: Submission of a parchment (certificate) indicating successful completion of the AEPUCE program, including language levels achieved if available. | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| CAEL and CAEL Online (Canadian Academic English Language) | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60 |
| CLB (LINC)
(Canadian Language Benchmark - Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada)
Canadian Citizens: LINC programs are not available. | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Duolingo
(Duolingo English Test)
* MINIMUM OVERAL SCORE OF 115 REQUIRED. There are no minimum required levels for L,S,R,W. Only Duolingo English Test scores that have been verified through the Duolingo English Test Portal will be accepted. | 0* | 0* | 0* | 0* |
| IELTS - Academic
(International English Language Testing System)
Please Note: 3 year expiry date for Nursing Program Applicants | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| LSI (Language Studies International) | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| PTE - Academic Online Assessment (Pearson Test of English) | 58 | 58 | 58 | 58 |
| Password Skills
(An in person English Language Assessment hosted by RRC Polytech)
This in-person, computer-based test is composed of four test modules: reading, writing, listening and speaking. The test takes 3 hours and 5 minutes to complete and is conducted in two parts. The first part assesses reading, listening, and writing, and the second part assesses speaking in a separate room.
Password Skills is hosted by the RRC Polytech Testing and Assessment Centre: E440, Manitou a bi Bii Daziigae building, on the fourth floor.
If you wish to do Password Skills remotely (not in-person), Password Skills Plus can be taken online. RRC Polytech does not offer Password Skills Plus, but we do accept the results for entry into program.
| 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| Password Skills Plus (Password Skills Plus is an online assessment that can be taken instead of Password Skills. ) | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| TOEFL-iBT
(Test of English as a Foreign Language - internet Based Test)
To meet the needs of students who are unable to take the TOEFL iBT® test at a test center due to public health concerns, ETS is temporarily offering the TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition test in selected areas. | 20 | 20 | 19 | 24 |
| Location | Start Date | Apply Link |
|---|---|---|
| Notre Dame Campus | Sep 02, 2025 | Apply Now |
You must successfully complete 20 courses and two field works to graduate from this program.
Note: Students require a C+ in each course to successfully complete the program. The workshops and field works are based on a Pass/Fail.
Content is focused on human communication experienced in the helping professions. Emphasis is placed upon the student's growth, self-knowledge and behaviour in groups. Instructional methods will include discussions and activities to expand understanding and experience.
Learn the basics of Microsoft Windows and the MS Office (Windows) skills to create multi-page reports in Word, presentations using PowerPoint , newsletters, cards, and signage using Publisher. This course is not suitable for MAC system.
Students will develop the writing skills that will assist them to communicate their ideas in an academic setting (e.g. how to write a term paper), complete an incident report at work, and make oral presentations (e.g. public speaking skills) for both the work and college environment. For this last area, students will prepare and deliver a multimedia presentation on a self-selected topic.
Explore the concepts of the aging process. Examine the critical issues that affect aging, personal adaptation to aging, and community resources. Topics include the demography of aging, societal and personal attitudes to aging, major theories of aging, physical aging, psycho-social aging, economic, social and political factors.
This course provides simple First Aid and CPR techniques taught in an interactive environment for individuals who want an overview of First Aid and CPR for the home or workplace. This course covers the role, function and responsibilities of the first aider, skills needed to recognize and respond to emergencies, shock and treatment, major bleeds. obstructed airway and other breathing emergencies, cardiovascular emergencies, and CPR Level C. CPR Level C covers adult/child/baby CPR - one rescuer, adult/child/baby choking, barrier devices/pocket masks, AED, adult/child 2-rescuer CPR.
You will put all skill area theories into practice, with particular emphasis on group program planning in community based settings. The seminars will integrate the concepts learned during the TRF for Older Adults program with your own experiences in a community setting.
Gain exposure and experience working in facility-based settings. Put theory into practice, and address the key skill areas of professionalism in assessing/meeting a client's needs in facility-based settings. The seminars will integrate the concepts learned during the TRF for Older Adults program with your own experiences in a facility setting.
Develop an awareness of how physical, emotional and social disabilities may limit performance and learn to adapt activity programs to meet an individual's specific needs.
Explore a variety of specialized recreation applications for older adults in community and institutional settings. Topics will cover volunteer inclusion, special event planning, sensory stimulation, cognitive programs, music programs, food-related programs, horticultural programs, intergenerational programs, movement/exercise programs, animal assisted programs, humour programs, reminiscing programs and spiritual programs. Upon completion of the course, you will be able to implement program options that meet the expected outcomes of your clients' care plan.
This course will allow you to gain the theoretical and practical proficiency to develop and implement safe, therapeutic fitness programs for seniors at varying levels of functional well being. The course will involve study in the areas of human anatomy and physiology, basic fitness components, leadership development techniques, strength/resistance training theory/design/ implementation, specific challenges/common disorders/ safety considerations for working with the older adult population and program design, implementation and evaluation for programs at varying levels of functional abilities (independent/high; moderate; or low functioning). Skills such as how to incorporate music, how to adapt the class to work with different levels at once, how to provide progressions and how to utilize different apparatus/equipment to provide variety and prevent over-use or over-training. At the conclusion of this course the students will be able to develop and implement at least 1 exercise program for all 3 functional levels that they can use in the workplace.
Learn the basic concepts, principles, procedures and terminology of Therapeutic Recreation (TR) including standards of practice and code of ethics.
This course provides an introduction to the concepts of leisure, recreation, work and play. It differentiates between general leisure pursuits and how trained recreation facilitators can use this knowledge to assess, plan, implement and evaluate therapeutic interventions. The five main bodies of philosophical thought will be discussed as they pertain and influence leisure experience and service delivery. The procedures, tools, and forms, used in community and long term care settings in the design and delivery of leisure programs will be reviewed and discussed. Potential theories of what this means in the future for individuals, societal components as well as for the profession of therapeutic recreation will be explored.
Improve your confidence in working with clients with Alzheimer's Disease and related dementia disorders. Examine causes, functional ability, assets, deficits and communication. Through practical case studies and situations, learn about therapeutic activities that will enhance the functioning of this population and lessen the extent of unwanted behaviour.
Learn the processes involved in group dynamics, the importance of attending and listening skills and group goals. Develop skills through group activities and observational learning. Study group communication, diversity, leadership, and how groups make decisions. Learn how to build a strong team.
Study demographics in regards to current immigration patterns, religion, aging, healthcare and community supports. Explore the role culture plays in society and how it influences TR interventions, communication, value of TR and the role of family and the individual.
Examine the various types of losses that occur throughout the life span, and the methods of providing support in these situations, relating to the elderly in particular. Learn to identify the stages of grief and cultural and spiritual perspectives on loss, grief and death. Develop an awareness of the grief process and ethical dilemmas associated with loss, grief and death. Explore end of life care and the differences between palliative and hospice care.
Become familiar with documentation skills and how they apply to therapeutic programming, the planning process and assessment. Discover the value of assessment as an ongoing process, and learn charting etiquette and technique. Discuss different charting styles, and the issues of confidentiality in relation to documentation.
Become familiar with the different concepts and methods involved in assessing, planning, organizing, implementing and evaluating programs within facility-based and community-based settings. Learn how to assess your client's needs, deal with leisure barriers and determine the differences between individual and group planning.
The Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (R) Program is a safe, non-harmful behaviour management system designed to aid human service professionals in the management of disruptive and assaultive people, even during the most violent moments. It has been developed by the Crisis Prevention Institute, a training organization devoted to training staff in the safe management of potentially violent individuals.
Learn proper procedures to manage infection control while working with clients in both facility and community settings.
Learn how to assist clients with dignity while attending to their personal needs.
Online learning is a critical component of course delivery in all Red River College programs. To ensure each student has the tools they need to achieve their academic goals, all Red River College students require, at minimum:
1. Off-campus access to a current computer with a webcam
2. A high speed internet connection
• Recommended minimum speed: 10 mbps for download, 3 mbps for upload
• Slower internet connection speeds may result in audio and video issues. Please keep in mind that if others in your home are using the same internet connection at the same time as you are, you may also experience audio and video issues.
• Please refer to https://www.rrc.ca/future-students/computer-requirements/ for further information on Computer Requirements for Students.
Please note that any anticipated costs are not included in Books and Supplies estimates.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process which documents and compares an individual's prior learning gained from prior education, work and life experiences and personal study to the learning outcomes in College courses/programs. For more information, please visit www.rrc.ca/rpl.