Continuing Education
Continuing Education
Health Care
Use your talents to enhance the lives of adults in long-term care by helping plan and implement recreation activities that promote wellness.
The Activity Assistant part-time program equips you to organize and provide activity programming for older adults, some of whom may experience physical or cognitive challenges. Recreation and fitness activities can help seniors maintain health, mood, mobility, and independence, as well as improve quality of life and social interaction.
When you graduate as an activity assistant, you are ready to work under the direction of a recreation professional to deliver programming in long-term care homes, assisted living settings, adult day care programs, client homes, mental health homes, or residential group homes.
The Activity Assistant program is ideal for anyone wanting quick entry into the booming healthcare field or for care aides looking to expand their skill set.
Credential: Certificate
Format: Part-time
Delivery: Online coursework with some scheduled Saturdays on campus. Students outside Fraser Valley to remain online. Practicums to be completed in person.
Duration: 9 months
Days and times: No scheduled meeting times except one weekly optional lecture. Date and time of lecture to be determined at the start of the program.
Location: Abbotsford — Clearbrook Centre
Tuition*: $3,980
Practicum required? Yes
Start dates: September
You must meet all entrance requirements to be accepted to the program. View the entrance requirements in the UFV Academic Calendar.
All students entering this program are also expected to be computer literate. This means knowing how to run programs in a Windows environment, and having basic Internet, word processing, and spreadsheet skills.
Once you have applied to the program, you will need to submit the following documents.
1. Letter from employer(s) confirming 20 volunteer or work hours in an adult care setting with a satisfactory reference/recommendation.
Need volunteer hours? Contact the following care homes: Maplewood Seniors Care Society, Menno Place, Tabor Village.
If you are unable to meet this requirement by the program start date, email continuingeducation@ufv.ca.
2. Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Screening
A satisfactory Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Screening is required for practicum. Complete the Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector using access code CACJXKC5VT.
After making the fee payment, you will receive an online receipt from the Ministry of Justice. Your results are sent directly to Continuing Education.
3. Immunization Record
The BC Health Authorities require you to be up-to-date on your vaccinations. For questions about immunizations, please contact Immunize BC, your doctor, or a community health centre.
4. First Aid certificate
You must have an up-to-date First Aid certificate: Standard First Aid, Emergency First Aid, or WorkSafe BC Occupational First Aid Level 1. Due before the first practicum.
5. Foodsafe certificate
You must have an up-to-date Foodsafe Level 1 certificate or Level 1 Refresher. Due before the first practicum.
Your Criminal Record Check will be automatically sent to Continuing Education upon completion, but you will need to submit the other documents yourself.
To submit your documents, email continuingeducation@ufv.ca and attach the files.
The program is divided into courses as listed below.
See the Fall 2024 Activity Assistant program schedule.
As part of the Activity Assistant program, you will complete two practicums that provide a meaningful work-like experience and exposure to professional care settings. First you will complete a 30-hour observational practicum midway through the program, and then you will complete a 90-hour hands-on practicum at the end of the program.
Practicum schedule
Your practicum placements will reflect the business practices of your practicum host. Many Activity Assistants work part-time hours and varying shift schedules, so your practicum shifts will reflect the schedule of the host you are paired with.
Practicum location
If you live in the Lower Mainland, Continuing Education (CE) will provide you with a practicum placement. While we try to place students near their city of residence, we cannot guarantee a practicum placement in a specific city. For example, students who live in Chilliwack may need to travel to Abbotsford to complete their practicum. Transportation to the practicum site is your responsibility.
You will receive one practicum site placement. If you refuse your assigned practicum site, you will need to find your own site and obtain departmental approval prior to the start of your practicum.
Practicums for distance students
If you live outside the Lower Mainland, you will need to locate an appropriate practicum site in your area and submit their details to the Continuing Education department for approval.
Missing your practicum
Completing both practicums is a requirement for graduation. If you are unable to attend or complete a practicum due to extenuating circumstances, please contact Continuing Education immediately.
Extenuating circumstances are defined as a situation beyond your control that prevents you from completing a course, program, or practicum. These are circumstances that are unexpected and/or uncontrollable and arise during the course of the program. Examples include:
The following does not qualify:
Students who miss their practicum may re-register for practicum at the next intake date, but will be required to pay the tuition cost of the practicum again.
Please discuss any barriers that may affect your practicum assignment with Continuing Education immediately after registration.
If you are positive, compassionate, and resourceful and enjoy the rewards of spending time with people, a career as an activity assistant may be the perfect fit for you. Not only are there many activity aide job openings available, but it is also a fulfilling career with good income potential.
According to WorkBC, as B.C.’s population continues to age, the healthcare and social assistance field will see the largest increase in job openings in the next 10 years. Fifty-four percent of these will come from the need to replace retiring workers, while an additional 46 percent will arise as a result of expansion in the healthcare system in response to the growing medical needs of an aging population.
Most activity assistants are employed by healthcare agencies and work in long-term care homes. However, some activity assistants also find employment in residential homes, community mental health centres, adult day care programs, hospice care, community centres, private homes, and even cruise ships. Common titles for Activity Assistant grads include:
To find your textbooks, use the UFV Bookstore's textbook search tool. Select "CE - Continuing Education" as your area of study.
Phone: 604-851-6324
Toll free: 1-888-504-7441 ext. 6324
Email: continuingeducation@ufv.ca
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