Beechtree Healthcare Center Announces First in Nation to use the TTAP Method

FOLLOWING STATEMENTS POSTED ON BEECHTREE HEALTHCARE SITE AT
http://www.beechtreecarecenter.org/special.html

The TTAP Method is cutting edge and new to the world of Alzheimer’s Disease study. Beechtree is the first Residence in the United States that has applied the TTAP method to the daily life of an entire Alzheimer’s Neighborhood.

Three Main Goals are woven throughout the TTAP Method:

1. Through the continual use of creativity (i.e. art, music etc.,) therapists work to enhance self-esteem and self-worth, thereby creating intrinsic motivation. This process takes place continually within the group.

2. Through the continual use of past and present personal history, life experiences and life-interests, the TTAP Method evaluates each resident’s focus for self-expression and makes it part of all programming.

3. Each individual’s unique combination of skills, cognitive functioning and capabilities for self-expression are used to stimulate areas of the brain. This stimulation enables residents to hold onto memories and language, slowing down the debilitating results of Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia.

TTAP incorporates creative arts into a structured therapeutic program so that through sculpture, music, art, poetry, and other events our residents can engage their minds, bodies, and senses to prolong their quality of life and their ability to function on many levels. These activities are structured yet flexible, and are individualized for each participant’s learning needs or interests. They provide a natural way of learning and processing information through enjoyable moments.

Read more about Beechtree and the TTAP Method at

http://www.beechtreecarecenter.org/special.html

MASTER DEGREE STUDENT INVITED TO SPEAK ON RESEARCH FINDINGS.

The movie clip was taken at the Helsinki Alzheimer’s day long intensive on the TTAP Method. Therapists and healthcare providers came from all regions of Finland to learn about the TTAP Method and hear current research findings. The Therapist featured speaking, had just completed her Master’s Degree in which she implemented the TTAP Method in her research. After I discussed the 10 research studies currently taking place in the United States, she was invited to describe to the audience the significant findings on the TTAP Method.

THIRD PUBLISHED STUDY ON THE TTAP METHOD, IN FINLAND

ABSTRACT

Tampere University of Applied Sciences Master's Degree in the Field of Social and Health Care
Degree programme in Health Promotion
Care of Ageing and Long-term Patients

KETOLA, KAARINA
From person to person. The effect of empowering guidance on elderly
Thesis 76 pages, Appendices 5 pages.
February 2010

The object of the development project was to examine how the empowerment of older people can be advanced with structured activity approach and educational guidance through the use of Therapuetic Thematic Arts Programming (TTAP Method©). The aim was to develop the project to be inclusive for the aging and thus to be an educational product that serves working life. It was approached by developing a cognitively activating process-like action model that would empower guidance of older people. People working with the elderly who work on the Development Project formed a steering group, which served as an expert group for process-like progress. The steering group's task was to think about the operativity and participation from three areas of care; those elderly living independently at home, those in sheltered housing and those living in long- term care facilites
.
The development project was carried out as a qualitative action research. Data consisted of students' definitions of empowerment, lecture notes, the refective logs writen after their practical training situations and the collected group of out-puts. The customer perspective was the transcribed interviews and the literal feedback given to the students by the dementia unit nurses.

The collected data were analyzed by content analysis. When using empowering guidance to support the interaction of the elderly, notable results are the increase in communal closeness of all three sectors and the increase of social well-being.

In conclusion, The TTAP-Method© can be stated to empower both the participants in group situations of all three areas of aging as well as those who lead them. Further research and development add needed on the method’s effectiveness and its connection with the reduction of behavioral symptoms. More research is also needed on the usability of empowering in the goal-oriented rehabilitation of those with memory disorders.

Keywords: TTAP METHOD, dementia, empowering guidance, aged, reflection, memory disease

SECOND RESEARCH STUDY PUBLISHED IN FINLAND FINDS TTAP METHOD EFFECTIVE.

SEINÄJOKI UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES

THESIS ABSTRACT

Faculty: Social- and Health Care Department
Degree programme: Social Services
Authors: Peltokangas, Eija and Rantala, Marjaana
Title of the thesis: Enriching the daily life in a service center for those diagnosed with dementia.
Tutor: Perttula, Katariina
Year: 2009 Number of pages: 75 Number of appendices: 1

Thesis was made as an action research in a service center for demented people, Kanervakoti, one of the participant units in the Goverment sponcered Demke-project. The purpose was to develop action for elderly persons to increase their quality of life and welfare. In practice, this meant organizing weekly events (Wednesday Feast) together with third sector agents- community volunteers. During the process a supplemental program was created according to the theory of Levine Madori (2007). The intention of the supplemental TTAP Method program was to lower the staff’s threshold to instruct activities, and possibly stimulate the formation of new activities. Research objectives were established to exhamine out how the development of TTAP Method programming succeeded and what kind of effects it has for the staff, elders with dementia and the work community.

The data collection was observational and qualitative. The viewpoints of the volunteers, the elderly people with dementia and observations from the staff were noted dialy in research diaries. The staff’s views were received with theme interview for the focus group. The results were evaluated with data based contents analysis because the theory changed during the process as it is supposed to do in action research.

The main result was that Wednesday Feast and the supplemental program which was designed according to Levine Madori’s theory enriched the inhabitants’ lives and increased their welfare. Wednesday Feasts worked as planned but the staff didn’t start to organize the supplemental program. However, it caused other beneficial and positive things. The staff’s threshold to instruct activities lowered and the amount of the organized activities has increased. As the synergy of the develop-ment work the inhabitants’ ability to function, vitality and involvement has streng-thened and gotten better. It can be stated that development work is beneficial be-cause it helps to get multiple results within staff and the elderly people.

Keywords: TTAP Method, development, dementia, institutional attendance, group activity, welfare

FINLAND UNIVERSITY STUDENTS LEARN SELF EXPRESSIVE TECHNIQUES

The movie captures students expressing there memories, images and significant people in their art work. It is important for therapists to first learn how to express themselves in the art process to then help others self express through the TTAP Method.

ABSTRACT OF FIRST STUDY PUBLISHED IN FINLAND ON THE TTAP METHOD

SEINÄJOKI UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES Abstract

Faculty: School of Health Care and Social Work
Degree programme: Degree in Elderly Care
Author/s: Laura Hanski and Kaisu Kohola
Title of thesis: “We are all artists” Experiment of Therapeutic Thematic Arts Pro-gramming at Hoivakoti Kissanpäivät
Supervisor(s): Sirkka-Liisa Palomäki, Kari Jokiranta
Year: 2009 Number of pages: 76 Number of appendices: 6
_________________________________________________________________

Activities for the residents are often missing in retirement homes. The goal of this thesis was to try Therapeutic Thematic Arts Programming (TTAP Method) at Hoivakoti Kissan-päivät and observe how it affects the residents socially, emotionally, cogntively and physically. The TTAP method is based on goal-directed action, which is a creative program.

This present work is part of DEMKE-project, a goverment established iniciative whose aim is to develop quality of life programming for elderly patients diagnosed with dementia. Our priority was to establish creative activities as a part of nursing home`s weekly programming. Our function was to offer educational experiences based on the TTAP Method to elderly, staff and close relatives. Thesis actualized as co-operative development. TTAP Method Activity groups gathered five times. We used observation, interviews, memos and photographing. Research materials analysis to analyze the TTAP method`s effects.

Our theme was nature. When the activity group gathered, we listened to music, painted, made sculptures, tasted vegetables, smelled scents and exercised. TTAP method was found out to be sensible and it suited the nursing home well elderly and those diagnosed with some form of dementia. Creative program is significant for demented people, as it aides in quality of life issues often overlooked. It was found that the TTAP Method program was significant in activatating memories, positive conversations and stimulating mental personal images. At the same time it was demonstrated to activate brain functions and exercise those remaining cognitive skills.

One function was to not only establish program but to educate close relatives to participate in creative activities and even get family members to guide group moments. It was found that through the TTAP Method there was enhnaced creativity; between residents, staff and family members. It enhanced quality of life creating enthusiasm on the unit and willingness to use it.

Keywords: TTAP method, creative activity, senses, demented residents

DID YOU KNOW that HAMK this is the four year the TTAP Method is being taught at HAMK University?

Here in the Finnish classroom undergraduate students' get involved in their own creative process exploring their own personal theme. As seen below students discover more about themselves as they explore images, paints and colors relevant to THEIR THEME OF LIFE.

HAMK University of Applied Sciences, Undergraduate Program

The students at HAMK University of Applied Sciences learn about the TTAP Method by experientials on the brain, art and the creative group process. Below are images taken from the classroom.

DID YOU KNOW THAT this is the third research study conducted in Finland?

KETOLA, KAARINA,

University of Tampere

From Person to Person; The effect of empowering guidance on elderly

January 2010

The object of the development project was to examine how the empowerment of older people can be advanced with proper guidance. The aim was to develop the project to be inclusive for the aging and thus to be an educational product that serves working life. It was approached by developing a cognitively activating process-like action model that would empower guidance of older people. People working with the elderly who work on the Development Project formed a steering group, which served as an expert group for process-like progress. The steering group's task was to think about the operatives and participation from the point of view of elderly people living independently at home, and those in sheltered housing in long- term care.

The development project was carried out as a qualitative action research. Data consisted of students' definitions of empowerment, lecture notes, the reflective logs written after their practical training situations and the collected group of out-puts. The customer perspective was the transcribed interviews and the literal feedback given to the students by the dementia unit nurses.

The collected data were analyzed by content analysis. When using empowering guidance to support the interaction of the elderly, notable results are the increase of communality and the increase of social well-being.

In conclusion, The TTAP-Method© can be stated to empower both the participants in group situations as well as those who lead them. Further research and development add needed on the method’s effectiveness and its connection with the reduction of behavioral symptoms.

DID YOU KNOW THAT THIS IS THE SECOND RESEARCH STUDY PUBLISHED IN FINLAND?

SEINÄJOKI UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES
THESIS ABSTRACT


Faculty: Social- and Health Care Department
Degree programme: Bachelor of Social Services
Authors: Peltokangas, Eija and Rantala, Marjaana

Title of the thesis: Enriching the daily life in a service center for demented people through the TTAP Method©.

Year: 2009 Number of pages: 75 Number of appendices: 1

Thesis was made as an action research in a service center for demented people, Kanervakoti, one of the participant units in Dementia project. The purpose was to develop action for elderly persons to increase their quality of life and welfare. In practice, this meant organizing weekly events (Wednesday Feast) together with third sector agents. During the process a supplemental program (control group) was created according to the theory of Levine Madori. The intention of the supplemental program was to lower the staff’s threshold to instruct activities. Research objectives were to find out how the development work has succeeded and what kind of effects it has for the elders and the work community.

The most of the data was collected by participant observation. The viewpoints of the elderly people and the observations were noted in research diaries. The staff’s views were received with theme interview for the focus group. The results were evaluated with data based contents analysis because the theory changed during the process as it is supposed to do in action research.
The main result was that Wednesday Feast and the supplemental program which was designed according to Levine Madori’s theory enriched the inhabitants’ lives and increased their welfare. Wednesday Feasts worked as planned but the staff didn’t start to organize the supplemental program. However, it caused other beneficial and positive things. The staff’s threshold to instruct activities lowered and the amount of the organized activities has increased. As the synergy of the development work the inhabitants’ ability to function, vitality and involvement has strengthened and gotten better. It can be stated that development work is beneficial be-cause it helps to get multiple results within staff and the elderly people.

DID YOU KNOW THAT?

I have just arrive in Finland and it is 7 below zero and snowing! Please follow this blog daily through my lectures and teaching engagements at he Helsinki Alzheimer's Association, The HAMK University of Applied Sciences and researchers currently studing the TTAP Method in Finland.

DID YOU KNOW?

The ATRA Academy Teleconference Series will be featuring a series on the TTAP Method which are scheduled to take place on Wednesday, March 31, 2010. The Feburuary 24, March 3 webinares had 50 Veteran Association Hospitals learn about the TTAP method in over 30 states.

Please go to www.atra-tr.com to registar and recieve CEU's.

DID YOU KNOW THAT?

The group of indiviuals is being lead by a student in a TTAP Method Session. This session is dance and movement. Participants are listening to old music of the 3o's and 40's, while singing and dancing. This session lasted 2 hours!

Sharing of deep emotional expereinces such as a dance and movement program creates positive memories that hold significant meanings- this type of intercention has been linked to enhanced communication, coordination and self esteem (LaBar & Cabeza, 2006; Furnham & Chamorropremuzic,2004; Chamorro,2005).

The individuals in group takes over the significant roles and relationships found in original family structure (Yalom,1995 & Pusker,2008).These particiapnts living in a locked unit relay on each other as "the family".

Neuro-developmental Sequencing through MOVEMENT AND DANCE thus using gross body movements has been found to have a positive effect on emotions, and behaviors in those diagnosed with AD (Buettner, 2006 & Perry, 2009).

The repetition of safe physical behaviors within the art group has been documented to increase cell growth, in the hippocampus region and enhance overall feelings of well-being (Perry, 2006). The TTAP Method is done daily with these individuals and has been documented to have increased psychological wellbeing (levine Madori,2009)