New Book on Cognition and Psychosocial Well-being in those Diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease-now available

There are a number of new publications that are going to be listed for sale on my website www.ttapmethod.com

ATRA Webinar Series- TTAP Presentations and Dates

The American Therapeutic Recreation Association will hold Nationally Telecasted series on the following lectures:

The TTAP Method(TM) from Research to Practice-February 24, 2010 1:00pm EST

Clinical Interventions Utilizing the TTAP Method(TM)for all Stages of Alzheimer's Disease- March 3, 2010 1:00pm EST

Current Research on the TTAP Method(TM)Community,to Skilled Nursing Facilites- March 31, 2010 1pm EST



TTAP Method(TM) in Skilled Nursing Facilities



TTAP Method(TM)for intergenerational programs and family members


TTAP Method(TM)Research Study Outcomes at Cornell

TTAP Method National Webinars in 2010

The ATRA Academy Teleconference Series will be featuring a series on the TTAP Method which are scheduled to take place on Feburuary 24, March 3,and March 31, 2010 Please go to www.atra-tr.com to registar and recieve CEU's.

Happy Healthy New Year to all!

Staff therapists researching the TTAP Method at Beechtree Healthcare Rehabilitation in Ithaca, New York celebrate the New Year creating artwork for the residents' rooms utilizing the theme of holiday wreaths!

Cornell University Pilot Study presented at Grand Rounds

THE 4TH RESEARCH STUDY FINDS SIGNIFICANT AND POSITIVE CORRELATIONS BETWEEN PARTICIPATION IN THE TTAP METHOD AND SELF PERCEIVED COGNITION.

On January 19th, 2009 eight participants who had been recently diagnosed with Alzhiemer's Disease voluntered to be the first clinical study of the TTAP Method (c) on those with early stage AD. These eight individuals received 14 weeks of the TTAP Method every friday for 60  - 90 minutes. The video testimonials of the 8 indivdiuals were presented at Cornell University - Grand Rounds on December 9, 2009. Over 60 medical staff including but not limited to; Therapists, Doctors, Nursing, Administration and support staff
attended the hour long presentation titled The TTAP Method; Enhancing Cognitive and Psychosocial Wellbeing Amoung those Diagnosed with Mild Alzheimer's Disease.  All eight participants discussed how the multimodal approach enhanced their self percieved cognitive performances and positive psychological wellbeing at 10 weeks.

As seen below is the audience, which included the Dr. Jordan and Dr. Fonzetti, the Co-Principle Investigators on this study.

One of the 8 individuals will continue participation in weekly TTAP Method sessions during the first 14 weeks of 2010. As of today, there are currently 5 research studies being conducted on the TTAP Method.

THANKSGIVING IS MORE THAN GOOD FOOD!

Happy Thanksgiving to all who follow this blog
I though I would share just how important FOOD and the HOLIDAY rituals can be to overall brain wellness and cognition.

For instance, did you know that science has proven that every positive memory we think of or speak about enhances the chemical deep within our brain. These chemicals enhance and increase our cognition.

Food plays a crucial role in stimulation the brain and enhancing cognition. See the past posting of the image of the regions of the brain that are stimulated by listening to music and then mediating.

NOW- Look at the different regions of the brain that are stimulated when food is added to an activity.

The Orbital frontal cortex is stimulated through all pleasurable experiences such as food and sensory stimulation.

The Occipital lobe is stimulated when autobiographical information is retrieved, for instance reminiscing about last years Thanksgiving or a special Thanksgiving shared with loved ones who are no longer with us, but live on through us, in our hearts and minds.

The right Temporal lobe responds to calming music and relaxation experiences.

Post parietal lobe translates visual images into motor commands, seeing the food and then wanting to grab a fork full!

The Reticular formation controls eating behaviors, the actual smelling of the food cooking, even before "seeing" the food. This region is responsible for arousal of sensorial stimuli in the brain and is one of the last regions to be effected by the Alzheimer's disease process.

So when you are sitting around the dinner table today or having reminiscing thoughts with loved ones and relatives, remember you are also stimulating YOUR BRAIN, keeping the cells thick and dense, which science now believes is directly correlated to decreased risk of cognitive impairments latter in life !

40th Celebration of the American Art Therapy Association

The American Art Therapy Association,

held in Dalllas Texas celebrates 40 years of professional service to communities across the nation and around the world!

One of the Keynote speakers, Pamela Tanner Boll is shown below, sharing feelings and stories about the struggles and successes of being a Artist along with the responsibilies of wife and mother.