Main Role Of A Diversional Therapist
The main role of a Diversional Therapist is to design and facilitate recreation and leisure programs, however, they may also be required to organise and run events when working in a nursing home. For the purpose of this essay, the example of, a Diversional Therapist planning, organizing and running a cultural event for a nursing home will be used to explain the essential skills required to ensure the event is successful. The cultural event will take place outdoors, ethnic food will be served and volunteers and nursing home employees will be required to assist the senior Diversional Therapist with the planning, organizing and running of the event. To ensure the cultural event is successful, there are a number of skills, which the Diversional
…show more content…
193). Risk management involves “…identifying risks, specifying their nature, assessing the degree to which the risks could impact upon the event, and developing contingency plans designed to avoid or minimize the potential impacts” (Harrison & McDonald, 2004, cited in Tum, Norton & Wright, 2006, p. 149). Risk management requires the Diversional Therapist to assess, plan, manage and control the risks (Tarlow, 2002, p. 30). Undertaking risk management will allow the Diversional Therapist to identify risks, anticipate risks, calculate the probability of risks occurring, estimating there impact, determine what can be done to avoid risks, prevent them from occurring, and take the required actions (Tum et al., 2006, p. 150). As part of the risk management process the Diversional Therapist will need to ensure they have contingency plans ready, these plans will need to be communicated to the employees and volunteers (Tum et al., 2006, p. 150). The Diversional Therapist will need to consider health and safety and any legal requirements, this may include regulations, licenses and permits (Bladen et al., 2012, p. 196). Some of the risks that the Diversional Therapist may need to consider, include, hazardous substances, communication procedures, fire safety, food, drink and water, noise, major incidents, ambulance and medical, structures and barriers, venue site design and management (Bladen et al., 2012, p. 195). Furthermore, as the event is designed for older adults, the Diversional Therapist will need to consider common risks within the nursing home, such as falls risks, individuals who are at risk of falling and food requirements, individuals who cannot eat certain foods or have specific drinking requirements. For example, residents that
193). Risk management involves “…identifying risks, specifying their nature, assessing the degree to which the risks could impact upon the event, and developing contingency plans designed to avoid or minimize the potential impacts” (Harrison & McDonald, 2004, cited in Tum, Norton & Wright, 2006, p. 149). Risk management requires the Diversional Therapist to assess, plan, manage and control the risks (Tarlow, 2002, p. 30). Undertaking risk management will allow the Diversional Therapist to identify risks, anticipate risks, calculate the probability of risks occurring, estimating there impact, determine what can be done to avoid risks, prevent them from occurring, and take the required actions (Tum et al., 2006, p. 150). As part of the risk management process the Diversional Therapist will need to ensure they have contingency plans ready, these plans will need to be communicated to the employees and volunteers (Tum et al., 2006, p. 150). The Diversional Therapist will need to consider health and safety and any legal requirements, this may include regulations, licenses and permits (Bladen et al., 2012, p. 196). Some of the risks that the Diversional Therapist may need to consider, include, hazardous substances, communication procedures, fire safety, food, drink and water, noise, major incidents, ambulance and medical, structures and barriers, venue site design and management (Bladen et al., 2012, p. 195). Furthermore, as the event is designed for older adults, the Diversional Therapist will need to consider common risks within the nursing home, such as falls risks, individuals who are at risk of falling and food requirements, individuals who cannot eat certain foods or have specific drinking requirements. For example, residents that