Recreational Therapy Students Complete Virtual Internship and Create COVID-19/Pandemic Safety and Activity Manual for a Retirement Community

Kaylee Gassen and Elizabeth Zubero, student athletes and seniors in the Bachelor of Science in Recreational Therapy program at NSU’s Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice, completed a virtual internship with Friends House Retirement Community in Sandy Springs, Maryland. Along with the support of adjunct faculty member, Therese Pokryfke, both students worked together to create a large COVID-19/Pandemic Safety and Activity Manual for the residents of Friends House Retirement Community.

The manual includes safety precautions and ways the residents can connect with family members who were unable to visit them, utilization of technology and apps, virtual recreational activities, and ways to manage residents’ social and emotional well-being. Additionally, the manual describes procedures and activities in a clear and simple manner with helpful graphics for the residents to be able to read and understand the information. This manual will be a lasting contribution to Friends House Retirement Community that they will be able to use currently and for future health and emergency situations. The manual can also be adapted for other retirement communities use.