Virtual Spring Seminar

Culture Change, Golden Gardens, and Recreation Therapy for Older Adults

 

 

 

Spring Virtual Seminar

Friday April 24, 2026

Sign In prior to 9:00 am

Program 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

3 Clock Hours will be awarded

Online platform via ZOOM

A Copy of the Recording will be available for 30 days

OUR PRESENTERS ARE:

Cathy A. Allen, BA, BS, CTRS, ALD, CDP, CMDCP Senior executive with over 28 years of operational leadership experience and 30 years of expertise in life enrichment, activity and recreation therapy programming across Skilled Nursing, Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care portfolios. Demonstrated success in scaling and standardizing resident experience programs across multi-site environments while maintaining regulatory compliance and resident-centered care. For thirty years, I have worked as a Recreation Therapist (CTRS) and am also certified as a Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP) and Certified Montessori Dementia Care Professional (CMDCP), offering expertise in person-centered therapeutic program design.  Proven leader in staff training and mentorship, compliance assurance, and driving occupancy growth by strategically aligning programmatic excellence with resident satisfaction, family confidence, and sales performance.

Betsy Kemeny is Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist and Certified Professional Gerontologist with 36 years of professional experience. Her work experiences have included outpatient rehabilitation, adult day, assisted living, hospice, and long-term care. Her scholarship includes more than 30 publications and 70 presentations. As Professor and Program Director of Recreational Therapy
at Slippery Rock University, she is also a Fellow, Distinguished in Recreational Therapy. She currently serves as co-chair of the Scientific Advisory Council for Horses and Humans Research Foundation. Dr. Kemeny received her bachelor’s degree in Sociology at Wake Forest University, her master’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and her Ph.D. from Indiana University of
Pennsylvania. From 2014 to 2022, Dr. Kemeny has served on the board of directors for the American Therapeutic Recreation Association as Member at Large, Secretary, and President. She was the President of the National Academy of Recreational Therapists from 2022-2025.

Session 1:

Culture Change and Person-Directed Programs (1 hour) 9am to 10am

Session Description
This educational presentation explores how culture change and person-directed programming can transform senior living and long-term care environments by focusing on each resident’s individuality, strengths, and preferences. Instead of a task-centered approach, culture change emphasizes creating supportive communities where residents maintain choice, dignity, and meaningful engagement in daily life.

Participants will learn how person-directed programs empower residents to remain active decision-makers in their routines, activities, and social experiences. The session will provide practical examples of how staff and organizations can shift toward a more resident-centered model that encourages independence, fosters purpose, and improves overall quality of life. Through real-world strategies and program ideas, attendees will gain tools to help residents reach their full potential while building a more compassionate and responsive care environment.

Session Objectives

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

    1. Define culture change in senior living and long-term care and explain its role in promoting resident-centered care.
    2. Describe the principles of person-directed programming and how they support residents’ independence, dignity, and personal choice.
    3. Identify practical strategies to shift from task-focused care to resident-focused engagement.
    4. Recognize ways to design meaningful activities and daily experiences that reflect residents’ interests, abilities, and life histories.
    5. Develop ideas for implementing person-directed programs.

 

Session 2:

Golden Gardens – Horticulture & Wellness Programs for Seniors (1 hour) 10am to 11am

Session Description
Golden Gardens: Horticulture & Wellness Programs for Seniors is an educational presentation that explores how gardening and horticultural activities can support overall well-being among older adults. This session highlights the physical, emotional, cognitive, and social benefits of gardening while introducing simple, accessible horticulture activities that can be adapted for seniors with varying abilities. Participants will learn how horticulture can promote mobility, reduce stress, encourage social connection, and enhance quality of life. The presentation will also share practical strategies for incorporating safe, enjoyable gardening experiences into senior programs, community centers, residential facilities, or home environments.

Session Objectives

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

  1. Identify wellness benefits of horticulture for older adults, including improvements in physical health, mental well-being, and social engagement.
  2. Describe simple, accessible, and creative gardening activities that can be adapted for seniors with different mobility levels or physical limitations.
  3. Recognize how horticulture programs can support healthy aging, cognitive stimulation, and emotional wellness.
  4. Explore practical strategies for implementing a senior horticulture program in community, healthcare, or residential settings.
  5. Develop ideas for creating safe, inclusive gardening environments that encourage participation and enjoyment among older adults.

Session 3:

Building a structure in recreational therapy to meet the needs of older adults with dementia (1 hour) 11am to 12pm 

 

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

  1. Identify at least 3 federal regulations that impact RT for older adults with neurocognitive disorders (dementia).
  2. Explain how RT is a non-pharmacological intervention for residents with behavioral  health conditions.
  3. Integrate the APIE(D) process into current structure of programming for older adults with neurocognitive disorders (dementia)

 

Copies of the handouts, our evaluation form and the log-in information will be provided by CATRD via email to the registrants.

 Upon conclusion of the program participant must complete the evaluation. Once the evaluation has been received your Certificate of Attendance will be emailed to you.

 Who should participate?

Anyone working with people at skilled nursing facilities, residential care homes, rehabilitation facilities, adult day care centers, home care agencies, etc., including but not limited to: TRD’s, CNAs, home health aides, social workers, nurses, rehabilitation professionals, administrators, memory or dementia unit managers / supervisors. Clock hours earned can be used toward hours for your National Certification(s).

TIMELINE FOR THE DAY
Sign On 8:45am
Session 1 9:00am
Session 2 11am
Conclusion 12:00pm

REGISTRATION FOR THE FALL SEMINAR

MUST BE DONE ONLINE click link below

Payment can be made online by clicking below or by sending a check made out to CATRD mail to :

Luanne Kemp, 10 Ettadore Park Milford CT 06460

Register online regardless of payment method. If paying by check register your information online and skip the payment part. The online registration generates the Registration list.

 DEADLINE: April 17th 2026

SEMINAR FEES:

  • CATRD MEMBER: $45.00
  • CATRD NON-MEMBER: $55.00

CATRD MEMBERS: Click Here to register & Pay Online

CATRD NON-MEMBERS: Click Here to register & Pay Online

 

MEMBERSHIP can be done online as well by using the membership tab.  Membership fees and descriptions:

  • Professional Member ~ $ 40.00

Professional members are individuals who are principally engaged in providing Therapeutic Recreation for the elderly. They shall be entitled to voting privileges and may hold an office within the Association.

  • Associate Member ~ $35.00

Associate members are individuals who do not meet the criteria for professional membership but are interested in the profession and share the objectives of the corporation. This category includes students, retired persons and interested individuals. They have no voting rights and may not hold an office.