Transcending Dementia Through the Ttap Method: A New Psychology of Art, Brain, and Cognition

Participation in the creative arts has been shown to promote cell growth that enhances the brain's ability to learn and recall new information, create new ideas, and make new connections. The brain stimulating approach known as Therapeutic Thematic Arts Programming (the TTAP Method?) has a proven record of improving the lives of people with dementia by increasing their engagement and cognitive functioning. In Transcending Dementia Through the TTAP Method: A New Psychology of Art, Brain, and Cognition, you now have all the tools and instructions for putting this person-centered and life affirming approach to work in sour own care setting.

Using separate Forms of creative expression-ranging from sculpture and painting to physical movement and mental imagery through guided meditation-the TTAP Method builds on themes in a structured and integrative way that helps each individual with dementia draw upon memories, feelings, and intellectual reserves to

stimulate and integrate multiple brain regions

provide enjoyment, engagement, creativity, relaxation, and a sense of purpose for people with even advanced dementia

promote positive self-regard and active social participation

improve mood and decrease symptoms of depression

boost memory

encourage the use of language

foster new opportunities to engage in life

This book contains an easy-to-follow framework that allows infinite variations on themes and personal interests and provides tools to document, track, and evaluate the effectiveness of the programming. With suggestions for creating one-on-one Or group programming, activity directors, therapists, social workers, nurses, nursing assistants, and even family members can successfully implement these methods.

Linda Levine Madori, Ph.D., CTRS, ATR-BC, LCAT, is certified in both art and recreation therapy and received her Ph.D. from New York University in Health Studies. She has been awarded two Fulbright Scholarships for the development of the TTAP Method? and her national and international teaching and research.