The responsibilities of a recreation specialist differ depending on their workplace. They’re most common in places where people stay for long periods of time, such as assisted living facilities and prisons. Their job is to provide activities that improve the people in their care’s quality of life and mental health.
A recreation specialist’s activities vary depending on the type of environment in which they work. Any recreation specialist must assess their clients’ physical and mental abilities before designing activities around them. Meeting with family or other caregivers to determine the most appealing leisure activities for those individuals is sometimes required. Individual attention is provided as needed during group activities. In a clinical setting, such as a hospital or mental health facility, recreation specialists are frequently required to have a background in therapy or psychology.
One of the most common places to find a recreation specialist is in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. For the patients’ entertainment, the specialist plans activities such as arts and crafts, music sessions, and special guests. They occasionally organize field trips to local attractions, and many have monthly or weekly restaurant outings.
A recreation specialist in a prison setting performs some of the same duties, but with a greater emphasis on physical fitness and activities appropriate for this setting. In a prison, a recreational specialist’s responsibilities are more likely to include organizing sporting events and booking concerts. The goal is to encourage physical activity while also improving inmates’ mental health. Because inmates spend so much of their time in small spaces indoors, outdoor activities are frequently emphasized.
A therapeutic recreation specialist is someone who works with people who are mentally or physically ill to help them find healthy ways to spend their free time. Outings, art, and sports are frequently encouraged as group activities. The idea is that the mind and body are inextricably linked and can influence one another’s health. Overall health can be improved combining healthy social interaction with physical activity and the use of mental functions.
Recreation specialists have a bright future ahead of them. Health care is a field that is always growing, and those with the right education, experience, and enthusiasm are always in demand. The pay for this type of work is typically low, but consistent.