Friday, October 21, 2011

TTAP Method Grant in New York State!!!

Good Afternoon Everyone!
I am honored to announce that on Wednesday, October 19th, I was notified by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services in conjunction with the Office on Aging that the TTAP Method has been identified as a "Best Practice" approach to training those serving the aging population through New York State. All healthcare professionals, including social workers, healthcare assistants, CNAs (certified nursing assistants), recreation therapists, and art/music therapists will be invited to participate in this statewide grand opportunity.

The details of this grant will follow, which indicate that New York State is providing this educational grant which expects over 180 healthcare professionals, who are providing services to the ever growing aging population, to receive TTAP Method Certification Training in all six regions of New York State. All trainings will be held on Fridays/Saturdays.

The New York training will be conducted at Downstate Medical Center where the Director of Alzheimer's Research, Dr. Carl Cohen, has given additional monetary support to provide a conference room and food, and his research staff will be attending the training.

Monday, September 12, 2011

THE DOCTOR LINDA SHOW IS HERE!

THE DOCTOR LINDA SHOW will be broadcast weekly starting TODAY, September 12th, at 4:30 on WVOX Radio 1460 AM or go to www.WVOX.com


Thursday, March 31, 2011

Alli's Internship

Tomorrow is my last full day at my internship, the time flys. Monday I am working 9-12 and I can't believe that will be my last day. As an intern your not always sure what it's going to be like when you first walk in and meet all the residents and staff but after a while they become a part of you can you become connect to each and every one of them. I truly loved interning at this rehab and nursing facility and would do it all over again if I could. Now its on to the case studies of the residents that I worked with. Thanks to everyone who has read my blogging bits and I hope you got something out of my expierence as an intern, I know I did.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Alli's Internship

It seems like just yesterday I was calling facilities, hospitals, and anywhere else I could find a CTRS looking for a place to do my internship and now only a week left until it's over. The time does fly when you are doing something you love it's true. I have learned so much from this experience more than I ever thought I would. I feel like I have left my mark at this facility by doing the TTAP Method week to week and bring them something to look forward too and well as helping them. One of the residents has Alzheimer's and the other has had a stroke and also has Crohn's disease, I have watched them grow week to week with the TTAP Method. From their attitudes becoming more optimistic and wanting to leave their rooms to actually come to my program, and also in many other ways. I will be keeping you posted on their final responses and my final days as well. This is truly a rewarding field.

Friday, March 18, 2011

Alli's Internship

This week I did the TTAP Method and I did my final session. I did sculpture as my final session. They each took the clay and molded a sculpture of their hand. They than painted them and talked about the journeys in life that helped mold us into what we are today. Also I wrote their names on paper and with the letters in their names they had to choose adjectives that best described them. If there is one thing that I could say about the TTAP Method it is how it impacts the residents. The first week they were skeptical about the group and now they are waiting for me sitting in our TTAP area where our group takes place every week and they loved it. Even when they were sick they would tell the nurses to ask if we could move the session to another day so they wouldn't miss anything. I think that they have learned and gained knowledge about themselves. The TTAP Method is something that I believe everyone should get to experience. In the nursing facility having a group besides bingo that people look forward to is such an accomplishment in itself. I will be posting pictures soon, and I will keep you updated on my final weeks of my internship.

Monday, March 14, 2011

Alli's Internship

Sorry for being a little behind but recently at my internship I had to experience a two year old passing away. This was very unexpected and something I never thought I would have to deal with during my internship. I have experienced people in the geriatric population passing away but that was different for me because they were older and some of them knew that it was their time to go. This on the other hand was not like that he was only two years old. His family came today and picked up his stuff from his room. He had been at the facility since he was nine months. It was very emotional for me, I can't even explain it. He was the second resident I met the very first day of my internship and I will never forget the way he looked at me with his big beautiful eyes and smiled right at me. I have to say that this was definitely something that I will never forget and I am glad in a way that I got to experience this as an intern because it better prepares me for what my future will hold as a recreational therapist. I feel like it's a stepping stone in my journey to becoming a recreational therapist and it's true that you learn more than you could ever imagine during your internship.
Wednesday I will be doing my last session of the TTAP Method which make me both excited and nervous. I can't believe I am in the home stretch! More to come on Wednesday!

Monday, March 7, 2011

Alli's Internship

Today we had a busy day. Time went by so quickly, this morning we did a spring time craft with all the residents that we are going to hang-up in their rooms. Some residents made flowers and butterflies and the boys made baseball card cut-outs. I was on second floor today which is twenty one and up to about thirty through thirty-five. They had a great time doing it and they get so much satisfaction from making something that they get to put in their rooms, they get that sense of accomplishment. Than we listened to soft music as we got them ready for lunch. Than for me it was off to school. For Wednesday when I do the TTAP Method next I am doing poetry books and writing. I am going to have them make their own books and write something inside the books that they made. It doesn't have to be a poem or story it can be a single word. Its amazing how one word can trigger a memory that leads to more memories. I can't wait to hear their stories. In my experience with the TTAP Method this is one of the most responsive steps, the stories from when the residents were younger are really amazing that is why I really can't wait to hear from the residents.

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Alli's Internship

Yesterday I was delayed at the airport coming back from my trip from New Orleans and it took seven hours longer than from when our flight was supposed to leave so unfortunately I was unable to make it to my internship. But here are some photos from throughout the 7 weeks at my internship so far that I have been doing the TTAP Method. I would like to share them with you and see what you think, here there are!

MEMORY BOXES










MASKS






PHOTO THERAPY



THEMED EVENT: VALENTINE'S DAY





PAINTING,DRAWING, & THEMED EVENT VACATION









Only two more weeks of the TTAP Method left and about a month left of my internship but more to come so I will keep you posted!

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Alli's Internship Day 40

Yesterday I did the TTAP Method with two geriatric residents. One of them has Alzheimer's Disease and the other has Crohn's Disease. This time we made memory boxes. I brought two boxes from Micheal's craft store that were only $1.99 each and were surprisingly very nice and great for this project. I also bought beads that you would normally put in a vase for that extra effect, but i used them as gems to glue onto the memory boxes. I also got wooden cut-outs that they could paint and put on the box as well. After the meditation of the memories were pouring out of them like it was happening right than and there. One resident talked about her brother's wedding and how she used to look after her brother and she always played more of the mother role. She said she was so proud of him in that moment and has not had that feeling in a while. She described the beach wedding in Hawaii down to the smallest detail of her sister in-laws wedding dress. She said it was sunny and the weather couldn't be more perfect, that in a glance her brother went from a boy to a man. She was also crying for most of the wedding she said both happy and sad tears. She was so proud and happy that he had grown up and was moving forward in life in a positive way. She also said she was sad to see he go in a different direction than where she was going but the still remand close. To this day he calls her every weekend to make sure she is ok and he is the only family she has left, she said she was glad about how great their relationship is. The other resident also a wedding during the meditation, but this wedding was her own. She said it was the happiest day of her life. Her wedding was at the city hall and she said that it didn't matter where she was, she was just so happy that she was marrying the man of her dreams. She said that she had a reception but the wedding was small and intimate. She never wanted anything big and city hall was a perfect fit for them. She had a big family and also married into a big family. She also said that she can replay that whole day in her head over and over like a movie as if it was just yesterday. They then painted the boxes and added the cut-outs and gems to it they came out really nice, better than I had imagined and they loved it. Inside the boxes we put key words that would bring them back to that day they remembered, such as ...wedding, Hawaii, city hall, cake, the colors from the wedding, the type of cake that was served, rings, the names of the couples, and things like that. Overall I think that this was one of the most powerful and emotional sessions that I have done so far. It was very successful.

Monday, February 21, 2011

Alli's Internship Day 38

Today I was on 3rd floor geriatrics, which is a mix of young and older adults and also rehab. This morning we did current events with a coffee social and then we bowled. The residents love bowling and they do so well at it too. The snow caused us to be under staffed today so it was a busy morning. Wednesday I and doing the TTAP Method with painting a memory box and adding gems and wooden cut-outs they can also paint for the box. I cannot wait to do the TTAP Method they really seem to like it and the body relaxation and the guided meditation. I have almost finished the 9 steps of the TTAP Method, I will keep you posted on how it goes on Wednesday!

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Alli's Internship Day 34

Yesterday I did the TTAP Method with some residents and we painted masks that looked like their old best friends for when they were younger. One resident painted and colored a mask of her old best friend Molly who moved away when she was little because her father was in the Navy and they were always moving. She said that it was the best friend she had ever had and that she would love to reconnect with her if she could. The other resident saw her old best friend Anna she painted her as a character she said because that's exactly what she was. They were friends up until she moved also they were always together. Two peas in a pod. They used to play on the farm all day. We also were on the 3rd and 4th floor of geriatrics we played Wii games and played basketball and then downstairs there was entertainment in the afternoon a singer who they really enjoy. Yesterday was very successful.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Alli's Internship

Yesterday at my internship there was entertainment hired for the residents on Valentine's Day. It was a singer who usually does weddings and parties it was his first time at a facility like outs, nursing and rehab. He sang love songs and classics that all the residents knew, they absolutely loved it. He went around to every resident and sang with them even danced with some of them. The recreation staff and I danced, clapped, and sang with the residents it was a very good way to help them feel loved on Valentine's Day. Wednesday I will be doing the TTAP Method with the residents and we will be making memory boxes.

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Another Research Study On The TTAP Method from Finland

Hämeenlinna, Degree Programme in Creative Arts(HAMK)
Author: Tarja Heikkinen
Year 2010
Subject of Master’s thesis: Therapeutic Thematic Arts Programming
in psychiatric day centre


ABSTRACT

The aim of this thesis was to examine the impact of Therapeutic
Thematic Arts Programming, created for elderly people, when used in
Psychiatric day activity and to assess the usability of the method in
mental health work. The research question was approached from the
viewpoint of people recovering from mental health problems. The research
was implemented during twelve sessions of a psychiatric day activity
group. In this qualitative study the research methods used were
through observation and group interview, which was carried out
during the last group meeting. The theory of TTAP method was implemented
in this study and essential matters of mental health and mental health
rehabilitation as well as the groundings of art therapy were considered.

According to the research results the group’s experiences of TTAP
Method were positive and the method was regarded suitable for mental
health re-habilitation when the special characteristics are taken into
consideration in planning. The continuous process, where the chosen
theme was treated through various creative methods was considered the
benefit of the method. In addition, the group gained multiple experiences of
success. The activities strengthened both team spirit and enhanced emotional and social
interaction in the group. Through this pilot study, the development to apply the TTAP Method regularly to support the aims defined in mental health rehabilitation became an outcome to this research.

Further research could also be done on the effects of TTAP method on
Specific variables of personal empowerment and enhanced well-being.

Keywords: Therapeutic Thematic Arts Programming (TTAP), learning
styles, mental health rehabilitation, psychiatric day centre,
solution-focused, art therapies.

New Research on The TTAP Method from Finland

Tampere University of Applied Sciences
Master´s Degree in the Field of Social and Mental Health Care
Degree Programme
in Health Promotion
Care of Ageing and Long-term patients
HÄIVÄLÄ, ELINA & JASKARI, TUULIA:
”Tuntuu rinnassa ja saa päässä raksuttamaan” – The Impact of the
TTAP Method on the Social Capacity of Dementia Residents
Thesis 178 pages, appendices 5 pages.
November 2010
------

ABSTRACT
This paper is based on a workplace development programme and is linked
to the Government Demke Project for the Aging. The purpose of the research was to obtain, by way of qualitative observation, information on the effect that the TTAP
(Therapeutic Thematic Arts Programming) Method ® has on the social
capacity of dementia patients in a Sopimusvuori dementia care home. The
aim was to learn whether the TTAP method improves the dementia
residents' social capacity and what impact the TTAP method has on the
residents' social capacity from the perspectives of the individual and
the community.

The study was executed as action research in cooperation with a group
of experts. It originated from the writers' interest in the subject and
the desire to test the practical and replicable implications of the TTAP Method® by
creating groups specifically for dementia care. The research data was
collected and summarized qualitatively. The effects of the TTAP Method ® on social
capacity was assessed with data collection from evaluation forms describing the dementia
residents' social capacity as well as by observational recordings of the cognitive interactions of the TTAP groups.

It can be concluded from the results of this research study that the TTAP
Method ® improves a structure which naturally enhances the social capacity of dementia residents by supporting an individual's social abilities within a group setting and strengthening the social capacity within the Dementia home community. In addition, the TTAP groups improve dementia residents' general well-being. The TTAP Method ® provides the means to give an individual more time and space to present his or her personality. Sharing recollections and
feelings in a TTAP Method® group brings one considerable pleasure. In a community, the TTAP method deepens the feeling of communality by e.g. increasing mutual empathy inside the group.

In the future, the activities provided should be diversified according to the dementia
residents' personal needs.

Keywords: Social capacity, TTAP method, Dementia, Provided activities,
Dementia care home.

***

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Alli's Internship Day 30

Today I did the TTAP Method with two geriatric residents. We did photo therapy and we painted photo frames and decorated them. During the meditation one of the residents saw her whole family at a family reunion some people she said she hasn't seen in so long she said, since she was a little girl. The other lady saw a picture of her and her husband from there wedding day. We talked about the guests and the wedding and what her favorite parts of the night were. It was very interesting for me to see a glimpse into their lives and their families. They were very informative about the people they saw and how they felt during what they saw during the meditation. Also I was on 4th floor this morning where the CTRS and I did a Wii & Basketball group. After lunch we went down to the 3rd floor and did a young adult sensory group and than did a reminiscing group about old celebrity couples with the older population.

Monday, February 7, 2011

Alli's Internship Day 28

So today starts my sixth week interning, and I can't believe how fast it has gone I am almost half way done! Today I worked 8-1 because i have to go to school. I was on the 2nd floor for the time i was there, with the young adults. The high school came to the day room this morning for music class and this gave the opportunity for the residents who have graduated from school to participate and engage with the students and teacher for the educational experience. Since this month is black history month they did a lesson on all the important African Americans who made changes in our world and that impacted the way the world is today. They sung songs that were in that time period or that were sung during a specific event that happened. It was very informative and educational. They seemed to really like it. They got everyone involved and even I learned things I didn't know. Then by the time the school left it was about time for lunch but we put music on for them while we set up for lunch. They love music and respond so positively to it. They also like the recent hits that we like so it just makes it that much more fun because everyone winds up dancing or sining and having a good time. Then as soon as lunch was ready we left the floor and when to the office did paperwork and attendance, and we planned for the week for a while. Today was a pretty relaxed day, we will wait and see what tomorrow brings!

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Alli's Internship Day 24

Today I went in late due to the weather. I arrived shortly before lunch, after lunch I was on second floor with the CTRS and we set up a valentine's sensory group. We used pink and red lights, a red table with pink and red tactile and visual things. Since the weather was bad this morning the kids did not have school so there were more than we usually have for a group which was nice because the two of us got to spilt it and it worked out really well. We put on soothing music and gave them a massage with the different tactile things. After that I got all the supplies I needed to do the TTAP Method and this time we did a themed event and since valentine's day is coming up we made cards with different things such as felt and string. In the guided imagery, there was someone waiting for them in the garden with red roses and a smile on their face. One lady who I was working with saw her husband who she has been with for 40 years. He is coming to visit her two Monday's from now and she is very excited. The other lady I was working with saw her very first boyfriend and his name was Ray. She said that she hasn't seen him in ages and they were childhood friends who dated a few times. We then decorated the cards which came out quite nicely. They each personalized the cards to someone that was important and close to their hearts to send them off to. The one lady made it for her husband and the other made it to her cousin who happens to be her guardian. They enjoyed the group they both love trying new things and they like it so much because its different then what they do day to day. Today I stay late and I was on first floor pediatrics with the babies. They are so cute we listened to music, danced around, got them in their pj's and then put in a movie for them to fall asleep too. We will see what the rest of the week brings but hopefully no more snow!

Monday, January 31, 2011

Alli's Internship Day 22

Today was a good day at my internship. I was on 3rd floor geriatrics/young adults/rehab and I had a great time. They geriatrics are my favorite floors. Every morning starts off with a coffee social it gives the residents time to interact with one another and time to relax with friends while watching the "Today Show" and it gives us time to prep for the mornings activities. Today we did current events, this help them understand and know what is going on in the world and the weather too. Many of the residents love hearing about the weather and the snow storms that are coming. There was a story in today's paper about how a Kohl's department store was in danger of there whole roof collapsing due to the excessive snow on top, and with more to come it is a big worry. They love being knowledgeable about what is going on it gives them a sense of the outside world. After that we set up bowling for them. This bowling though, was for a table top and the pins were small and there was a round small ball that you use to throw down and knock over the pins. They use this one because there are many people in wheelchairs that can play this way and everyone really enjoys it. Its and even game for everyone wheelchair or not. The residents love bowling and there was a line to play it had a very good outcome and is one of the more popular games. We also had music playing during bowling and they sang along it was great. After that we set up for lunch and we put on "The Price is Right" that is one of their all time favorite shows. They bid as if they were there it's great. Setting up for lunch is not always easy, everyone has a assigned seat but that is the easy part the other part is the drinks and food. You have to be very careful about who gets what because there are all different types of dietary needs. Today was a successful day and when I left for lunch everyone had a smile on their face and that's all that really matters. Some of them are very alert and know that they are stuck there until they pass so anything to make them feel better or make their day is totally worth it. Hopefully the snow won't mess up my hours this week!

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Alli's Internship Day 18

Today I was on the 4th floor which is geriatrics and we had our coffee social and then got set up for the Wii Dance Broadway and Basketball two separate groups that go on at the same time for the residents have a choice of what they would like to do. They love playing basketball, I think it brings back memories from high school and when they used to be active, and the Wii they are starting to like more and more. They get to choose songs that are familiar to them and they enjoy going against each other in a friendly competition. Then we set up for lunch. I really enjoy working on the 4th floor it is definitely my favorite floor. The residents and I are getting to know each other now and they love joking with the new-be but it is tons of fun. Later today after lunch I was on the 3rd floor which is young adults/geriatrics. I did the TTAP Method today and it went very well. We did a body relaxation and meditation and then we painted what we saw during the meditation. They pictures came out nice I will be posting them up soon. They seem to become really relaxed and enjoy doing the crafts. After that we played Bingo which is always a big hit on 3rd floor. Today it was snowing all day so I left a little early but all in all it was another successful day at my internship!

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Cornell University continues to study the TTAP Method in the news!

Read the following article to understand how the TTAP Method is changing individuals lives who are diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. Cut and paste link into search.


http://www.levinemadoriphd.com/content/news/chappaqua-resident-expert.php

Monday, January 24, 2011

Alli's Internship Day 16

Today I was expecting to be the geriatrics but and I was for a little while in the morning for an hour or so. We had a coffee social and did group discussion and interaction. Since the Superbowl is coming up we talk a lot about last nights games and who wanted who to win. Then I was called down to first floor pediatrics and those are the really young children and spent the rest of my time with them. We did mat play, which is when you lay the child on the mat if they are too young to move around on their own but otherwise it is playing with the child on the mat in a safe manner. The kids love to run around on the mat but most of them can only be off their feeding for fifteen minutes tops. After that we cleaned up everything and got the kids back in their chairs and then did an art project. They got to color fishes and they plan to hang them in their own rooms. Ringworm seems to be going around but if you take all the precautions you should be fine. As a therapist my supervisor says that you have to be careful because many things go around and you have to protect yourself from it especially if you are seeing different residents on different floors. Now since I have started school my schedule has changed and so have my hours. That is also another thing about being a therapist is that you have to be flexible! So tomorrow I believe I am on the second floor so we will see what tomorrow brings, so far so good!

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Alli's Internship Day 13

I am sorry I know that today is really the 14th day of my internship but yesterday I worked the late shift and I came home a fell asleep. So this is what happened yesterday day 13... First I got there and I was on 4th floor geriatrics I always have fun up there they talk to me and tell me all the latest gossip and we have a coffee social every morning. Then after that I got to do my first session of the TTAP Method. I did it with two elderly ladies one has Alzheimer's Disease and the other one has Crohn's Disease and that is why they are at the facility. They are both alert. We did a meditation and then did drawing about what they sad. One lady drew a garden and the other lady didn't really see anything so she drew swirls of colors about how she was feeling. We then talked about gardens and family. After that it was already time for lunch, so after lunch we did a sensory group with the young adults and after did a reminiscing group with the older adults. We also played hangman. This is a great game to keep them thinking and bringing back their long term memory. Also this week was recreation appreciation week so the director had a nice luncheon for all her staff. Since I worked late I went to 1st floor pediatrics and worked with the babies and did a few room to room visits. So the day went smoothly and I can't wait to do the next TTAP session!

Monday, January 17, 2011

Alli's Internship Day 11

Today was the first day without shadowing the CTRS. It wasn't too bad at all. I first went to 4th floor but then they needed me on the 1st floor which is pediatrics. When I got down there I did one on one sessions all morning with the kids because there was no school today and many of them are sick I went from room to room. I read them books and played with them I even sang to some of the more alert kids. I used tactile objects and the music therapist also came around to the kids which was good cause most of them did not leave there rooms today. After seeing most of the kids it was lunch time. After lunch, I went to 3rd floor which is mostly rehab and some geriatrics. We played hangman for most of the time, the residents on that floor love hangman they could sit there all day and play it. I thought up old movie classics and TV shows and even actors too. They are surprisingly good at hangman. It really gets them thinking and also gets them interacting with each other. We also after hangman started talking about family. This brought on strong conversation and was very interesting to get to learn more about the residents and their families. When I start the TTAP Method I'm sure there will be many more stories and that is what I am looking forward to.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Alli's Internship Day 8

Today I worked with the geriatrics population. First they have wake up && coffee time. They get a chance to come in socialize watch the news and have their coffee and a few snacks. Then I did a morning basketball group along with a Wii Sports group. The recreation department wants everyone to get a chance to see if the Wii is something that interest all populations and today was the first time they tried it with them and they liked it. The Wii Sports were hard for some to play because you have to remember that they have disabilities and many do not have use of their hands but when is came to the Just Dance Wii Game they loved it and were so good at it. They really enjoyed it and got a competition going. The basketball is always successful with them because they can still play from their wheelchairs. Before I knew it, it was lunch time. After we did a sensory group with the young adults and did a relaxation and everyone was so relaxed. We then moved on to the older adults and played a reminiscing game. They were given pictures, I got a picture of and old car and I was asked what was the first car I ever had? Which brand was it? The color and make? so on a so fourth and then I answered and everyone around me then talked about their first car and it was very successful and everyone was interacting with one another and the memories kept on coming and coming. Today was a very good day I love working with the geriatric population, it shows the positives of what a little conversation can do and how it can bring back things you never forgot and rarely get to share.

Monday, January 10, 2011

Alli's Internship Day 6

Today was so much fun. This morning I was on the pediatric floor and even though many of the kids were sick we still had an awesome time with the music therapist and sang songs about the winter and snow. Then we prepped for an art project called polar animals and got ready and did some one on one's. I also got to meet a lot of new kids and staff. After lunch we did a sensory group and we also did the art project which was gluing white felt to the polar bears and penguins placing the on an iceberg and hanging them around the room. We also read them a story about the winter and the three little snow bears. Then we had a dance party to the music on the soundtrack of happy feet. Unfortunately today one of the kids that was in our group lost oxygen and turned a grayish color but respiratory came just in time and saved her, the thing with the kids with oxygen and vents is that they unplug themselves sometimes they don't know that it will harm them they just think it is something to play with. But in the end everything was fine. I learned you just always have to be aware and that double checking is never a bad thing. At the end of the day I took some kids back to there rooms and I also learned about the facility's paper work and care plans. I learned a lot today and it was an interesting day to say the least but I'm still looking forward to tomorrow!

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Alli's Internship Day 3

Today I was on the 4th and 3rd floor of the facility and those are the geriatric floors. This morning we played basketball. We set up the group into a big circle and each one of them got a turn to shoot into a hoop. To give everyone a fair chance we had to different hoop sizes so they each could make it a successful experience. Most of the people I was working with were in wheelchairs so we adjusted the equipment so it would work for them in a positive way. It surprised me how well some of them did I was not expecting that at all. Than we went down to the 3rd floor after lunch and set up a sensory group for the younger adults and we set up lights and different tactile objects for them and it went very well and they seemed super relaxed. After that we took a different group of people and played a reminiscing game called shake awake a memory. You roll the dice and the number you roll matches a card and that card has a question and if you have done what is on the card you keep it and whoever has the most in the end wins. Some of the memories and stories that were shared were filled with so much detail it was amazing. I think I found some great candidates for the TTAP Method. So far my internship has been great and tomorrow a Zumba instructor is coming and we are making sock snowmen to go with our winter wonderland theme, can't wait!

Monday, January 3, 2011

Alli's Internship Day 1

Hi my name is Alli and I am a fifth year double major student at St. Thomas Aquinas College. I started my internship today at a nursing and rehab facility. I will be blogging about it every Monday and Wednesday, so I will keep you posted! This was my first day at my internship and it was very interesting and exciting. At first I was nervous but once I got to meet with my CTRS it seemed to be second nature. Today, Monday was music therapy day. We started with a music program with singing and residents got instruments to go along with the beat of the music. After that we set up a sensory stimulation and got the music going with lights and different tactile objects to stimulate the senses. Then after that we had lunch and then we set up a music and dance type program and we got the patients moving and most of them have been in wheelchairs so it was very nice and they we very responsive to the music and the different beats. After that we set up a art painting project that we painted cardboard cut outs of snowflakes and we plan to hang them up in the day room where most of the residents stay. After that we got the residents ready for dinner. The day flew by it went so much faster than I was expecting I had a great first day and I am looking forward to tomorrow!