American Journal of Recreation Therapy

Abstract
Currently, there is a need for strength-based recreation therapy approaches which promote the retention of skills and abilities of the growing older adult population. This article introduces an emerging multimodal intervention: Therapeutic Thematic Arts Programming for Older Adults (TTAP Method©), an approach that provides stimulation to three distinct brain systems, encouraging brain wellness and neural regeneration, thereby providing a viable means for enhancing cognitive functioning in older adults. Research on TTAP Method© efficacy is currently being explored at Cornell University and previous pilot studies strongly indicate that the TTAP Method© may be an effective intervention for slowing the progression of mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer’s disease. TTAP Method© is person centered and culturally competent, and engages a variety of creative activities.

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Fulbright Article

Teaching Therapeutic Thematic Art Programming (The TTAP Method ™) on a Global level; Impacting Practice and the Care for Those Afflicted with Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease. Submitted for 2010 Fulbright Brochure

Written by, Linda Levine Madori, Ph.D. CTRS, ATR-BC, LCAT

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) one of the most expensive diseases to treat, due to the length of time an individual can live after diagnosis, which is estimated to be from 10 to 18 years (American World Health Statistics, 2009). Currently, there is no cure and the global world struggles to address the growing numbers of individuals diagnosed which estimated at 30-40 million people worldwide. Receiving two Senior Specialists Awards through the Fulbright organization specifically in the area of Global Health the following the following is the story of my teaching and research initiatives in Finland during this past summer of 2009. 

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The TTAP Method © an innovative multimodal approach for Alzheimer’s Disease

Currently, there is a need for strength-based recreation therapy approaches which promote the retention of skills and abilities of those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s’ disease. These two pilot studies, conducted in 2008, utilized this emerging multi-modal intervention: Therapeutic Thematic Arts Programming for Older Adults (TTAP Method©), an approach which provides stimulation to three distinct brain systems, naturally stimulating person centered programming, encouraging brain wellness and neural regeneration, thereby providing a viable means for enhancing cognitive functioning in those diagnosed with this neurological disorder…

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Teaching Alzheimer’s prevention strategies the TTAP Method ™ on a Global level

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) one of the most expensive diseases to treat, due to the length of time an individual can live after diagnosis, which is estimated to be from 10 to 18 years (American World Health Statistics, 2009). Currently, there is no cure and the global world struggles to address the growing numbers of individuals diagnosed which estimated at 30-40 million people worldwide…

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St. Thomas Aquinas College Students conduct research on TTAP Method™

A research study conducted by therapeutic recreation college students utilizing the TTAP Method ©.

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ATRA Research Article

The TTAP Method © an innovative multimodal approach for Alzheimer‟s Disease created to enhance Cognition and Psychosocial Wellbeing Utilized in Two Pilot Studies with Individuals Diagnosed with Mild and Moderate Alzheimer‟s Disease.

Research Abstract
Currently, there is a need for strength-based recreation therapy approaches which promote the retention of skills and abilities of those diagnosed with Alzheimer‟s‟ disease. These two pilot studies, conducted in 2008, utilized this emerging multi-modal intervention: Therapeutic Thematic Arts Programming for Older Adults (TTAP Method©), an approach which provides stimulation to three distinct brain systems, naturally stimulating person centered programming, encouraging brain wellness and neural regeneration, thereby providing a viable means for enhancing cognitive functioning in those diagnosed with this neurological disorder. Research on TTAP Method© efficacy on those individuals with mild AD at Cornell University is currently being statistically analyzed as this paper is being drafted. Early indications from the Cornell Study indicate that all three pilot studies conducted between 2008-09, strongly indicate that the TTAP Method© may be an effective intervention for slowing the progression of MCI to Alzheimer’s Disease. TTAP Method© is person centered, culturally competent, and employs a variety of recreation/art activities.

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St. Thomas Aquinas Professor Selected as Principal Investigator in Clinical Study by Cornell

Study looks to address cognition and emotional well-being in early stage Alzheimer’s Disease.

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Using TTAP Method© to Enhance Cognitive Performance in the Hispanic Elderly

Amanda Alders: Nazareth College Graduate Student. Rochester, NY A 12 Week, Quantitative Study Population: Non-English Speaking Hispanic Elderly Immigrants N=24

This study investigated the role of various activities on cognitive performance in a community sample of Hispanic elderly subjects. One aim of the study was to determine whether differences in cognitive performance could be accounted for by activity, particularly when the influence of other variables, such as gender, country of origin, acculturation, education and frequency of self-initiated tasks were taken into account. The primary aim of the study was to examine whether engagement in structured creative activity, such as art therapy- TTAP Method(c) was predictive of cognitive performance. The research followed a quasi-experiment, pretest/post test format which allowed investigation of the hypothesis that creative activity accounts for positive changes in cognitive functioning. This hypothesis predicts that dynamic, mentally stimulating activity is essential in protecting against cognitive decline associated with age and is positively correlated with cognitive performance. 

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Using the TTAP method in Finland, Journal of Dementia Care, Finnish Association for Dementia Care

Article summaries the TTAP Method and how it is effectively utilized in Finland with the dementia population.

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Facts & Statistics on Alzheimer’s Disease

“The Epidemic That Wipes Out a Lifetime of Memories.”

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Why The TTAP© Method Works

So just how does drawing, writing poetry, or playing a violin, help seniors function better and improve their memories? TTAP facilitates the development, maintenance, and expression of an appropriate lifestyle for individuals with limitations (illness, disabilities, aging). It provides opportunities for all seven styles of learning (the world player, the questioner, the visualizer, the music lover, the mover, the socializer, and the individual) and simultaneously stimulates all areas of the brain.

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Why Art Is Therapeutic

Using art can enable the individual to connect, possibly for the first time, to an emotion or an event that has not been thought of for decades. It also can stimulate emotional healing through the connections of the deep and innermost feelings.

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How Seniors Remember, Think & Function More Effectively In 9 Steps

I have dedicated the past 25 years to helping seniors preserve their abilities to think, remember, and function cognitively. Throughout the course of this work I have developed a method that helps art and recreation therapists and caregivers to engage the elderly. It’s called Therapeutic Thematic Arts Programming (TTAP).

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