With the baby-boomer generation caring from elderly parents and becoming seniors themselves, knowing how to prevent or helping someone with dementia is more important than ever. Linda Levine Madori, PhD provides guidance during this conversation about her new book, Transcending Dementia Through the TTAP Method: A New Psychological Approach to Art, Brain and Cognition. For the past thirty years Dr. Levine Madori has worked in the field of Health Care as a therapist, teacher, advisor, researcher, supervisor and innovator of new psychological approach to art, brain and cogniton with regard to well aging and specifically those afflicted with Alzheimer’s Disease. Her book is based on extensive research showing how her TTAP method helps enhance brain health. For example, when we use both sides of our brain and focus on positive emotions, we can stimulate the hippocampus and help ward off Alzheimer’s Disease. Storytelling is important way to help foster positive emotions. Her TTAP method is a 12 step process that includes meditation, music, painting and sculpting, storytelling, movement, using food and themes as events, photo sharing, drama/ use of props, and asking for feedback.

She discusses how storytelling, for example, can lead to a conversation about themes (birthday, holiday, etc) or an object that will evoke pleasant memories from a person’s past. Thus, rich language is shared plus the listener can followup with other questions about what was remembered. Engaging in art is significant because it stimulates both the left and right parts of the brain. Social connection is also vital for anyone with cognitive impairment. She gives invaluable tools and techniques, including meditation and other holistic techniques to engage and build the self esteem for people living with dementia. Benefits offered by the TTAP method include enhanced self esteem, engaging different parts of the brain, improved social interaction, mood and memory. For more information, please visit http:/www.levinemadoriphd.com.