Brandee Elliott
Didsbury,AB
Summary
Dedicated Recreation Professional 18 years of experience in organizing recreational activities to support improved wellness among participants. Resourceful in devising diverse programs with exercise and social activities geared to individuals' abilities and specific needs. A collaborative leader dedicated to creating positive team culture and high quality services to clients.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Instructor/Facilitator
Red Deer Polytechnic
01.2015 - Current
- Current contract instructor/facilitator for Red Deer Polytechnic, providing virtual lectures.
- Providing course instruction for the Alberta Senior Citizens' Housing Association Activity Coordinator Certificate Program.
- Instructing the 'Leisure and Recreation Principles' and 'Program Development' Courses.
Recreation Therapist II
Alberta Health Services
01.2012 - Current
- Current assigning Recreation Therapist, supervisor, and facilitator within the Rural North East Home Care, Calgary Zone.
- Provides direct/remote supervision and support of three Adult Day Programs and five Therapy Assistants.
- Supports and facilitates Adult Day Programming, community programming, recreation based respites, and virtual programming within integrated home care.
- Conducts thorough assessments to evaluate client needs and develop appropriate outcome measures and therapeutic interventions.
- Develops individualized goals and outcome measures for clients, promoting progress in physical, emotional, social, and cognitive wellbeing.
- Plans, organizes, and evaluates the recreation programs, calendar, and newsletter.
- Provides scheduling support for recreation department staff.
- Manages daily operations of the recreation therapy department, ensuring efficient use of resources and adherence to regulatory standards.
- Maintains accurate records of client progress through regular documentation and evaluation of therapeutic interventions.
- Utilizes adaptive equipment to enable clients with varying abilities to participate in recreational activities safely and effectively.
- Coordinates volunteer opportunities for individuals seeking experience in recreation therapy settings while enhancing program offerings for patients.
- Supervises and directed volunteers to provide assistance in supporting clients and recreational programs.
- Conducts research on emerging trends in recreation therapy, staying current with industry best practices and integrating innovative approaches into daily practice.
- Provides student placement opportunities through preceptorship.
- Developed and partnered with community organizations to implement community functional intervention programming. Including: Fall Prevention, Aquatic Therapy, Walk and Talk, Opening Minds through Art, Music & Memory, and Memory Plus.
Recreation Therapist
Mountain View Seniors Housing
01.2006 - 01.2012
- Provided Recreation Therapy services within the Supportive Living framework (SL4 and SL4D).
- Responsible for the planning, facilitation, and evaluation of Recreation Therapy programming within the facility.
- Provided individualized Recreation Therapy assessment and goal development.
- Recruited, trained, and supervised a robust volunteer department to support the residents and recreation activities.
Education
Diploma - Therapeutic Recreation Gerontology
Lethbridge College
Lethbridge, ABSkills
- Team building
- Effective Communication
- Reliability
- Organizational Skills
- Professionalism
- Interpersonal Skills
- Community Integration
- Safety Compliance
- Innovation
Accomplishments
Recipient of the Alberta Therapeutic Recreation Association 2020 Innovative Practice award.
Co-developed the "Go the Distance" program (March 2020) which is a Virtual Recreation Therapy Program focused on providing socialization and cognitive stimulation, through Recreation Therapy interventions. This program was scaled and spread across Canada to more than 50 locations. More information can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWJP1MaYoJo
Professional Development
- ATRA Symposium 2022 Volunteer- Vice chair of registration
- Certified Village of Improv for Alzheimer's Facilitator
- Certified Opening Minds through Art Facilitator
- Best Friends Approach Associate Trainer
- Certified Music and Memory Facilitator
- Support Group Facilitator Training by the Alzheimer Society of Calgary
- Supportive Pathways Certification
- Home Support Exercise Program Certification
Professional Memberships
- Alberta Therapeutic Recreation Association, Registered Professional Member, 2006
- Alberta Fitness Leadership Certification Association, Certified Aquatic Exercise Specialty Leader, Certified Older Adult Exercise Leader, 2018
Professional Highlights
- Completed in the i4 Health Innovation competition with the Go the Distance program. Won the category of Community Health & Care and received $20,000 in grants to be used towards the program.
- Presented at the 2022 Canadian Therapeutic Recreation Association Symposium, regarding innovation and collaboration within Recreation Therapy practice.
- Chair of Registration for the 2022 Alberta Therapeutic Recreation Association Annual Symposium.
- Co-developed the Go the Distance program, a virtual recreation therapy intervention-based program focusing on cognitive and social interventions.
- Partnered with other Recreation Therapy professionals to collaborate and facilitate various Recreation Therapy workshops, in-services, and presentations within Alberta Health Services.
- Developed and collaborated with Didsbury Mental Health to implement a specific day within the Adult Day Program for adults with chronic mental health conditions.
- Developed and implemented, in collaboration with Physiotherapy a unique specialized fall prevention, evidence-based program with positive measurable outcomes. Presented these outcomes at the Annual Alberta Therapeutic Recreation Association 2011 Symposium.
Certification
Non Violent Crisis Intervention Training
Re-certified in 2023
Emergency First Aid Certification
Annual Basic Life Support Training (CPR)
Current class 4 drivers license
Village of Improv for Alzheimer’s Facilitator (2020)
Opening Minds through Art Facilitator (2017)
• Best Friends Approach Associate Trainer (2017)
• Certified Music and Memory Facilitator (2014)
• Support Group Facilitator Training
Alzheimer Society of Calgary Certification
• Supportive Pathways Certification
• Home Support Exercise Program Certification
Timeline
Instructor/Facilitator
Red Deer Polytechnic
01.2015 - Current
Recreation Therapist II
Alberta Health Services
01.2012 - Current
Recreation Therapist
Mountain View Seniors Housing
01.2006 - 01.2012
Diploma - Therapeutic Recreation Gerontology
Lethbridge College
Non Violent Crisis Intervention Training
Re-certified in 2023
Emergency First Aid Certification
Annual Basic Life Support Training (CPR)
Current class 4 drivers license
Village of Improv for Alzheimer’s Facilitator (2020)
Opening Minds through Art Facilitator (2017)
• Best Friends Approach Associate Trainer (2017)
• Certified Music and Memory Facilitator (2014)
• Support Group Facilitator Training
Alzheimer Society of Calgary Certification
• Supportive Pathways Certification
• Home Support Exercise Program Certification
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