Overall employment of recreational therapists is expected to grow more
slowly than the average for all occupations through the year 2014. In
nursing care facilities�the largest industry employing recreational
therapists�employment will grow slightly faster than the occupation as a
whole as the number of older adults continues to grow. Employment is
expected to decline, however, in hospitals as services shift to outpatient
settings and employers emphasize cost containment. Fast employment growth is
expected in the residential and outpatient settings that serve disabled
persons, the elderly, or those diagnosed with mental retardation, mental
illness, or substance abuse problems. Among these settings are community
care facilities for the elderly (including assisted-living facilities);
residential mental retardation, mental health, and substance abuse
facilities; and facilities that provide individual and family services (such
as day care centers for disabled persons and the elderly). Opportunities
should be best for persons with a bachelor�s degree in therapeutic
recreation or in recreation with an option in therapeutic recreation.
Opportunities also should be good for therapists who hold specialized
certifications, for example, in, aquatic therapy, meditation, or crisis
intervention.
Health care facilities will support a growing number of jobs
in adult day care and outpatient programs offering short-term mental health
and alcohol or drug abuse services. Rehabilitation, home health care, and
transitional programs will provide additional jobs.
The rapidly growing number of older adults is expected to spur job growth
for recreational therapy professionals and paraprofessionals in
assisted-living facilities, adult day care programs, and other social
assistance agencies. Continued growth also is expected in community
residential care facilities, as well as in day care programs for individuals
with disabilities.
Source: Bureau of Labor
Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook
Handbook, 2006-07 Edition
