Cognitive Dynamics Launches Cognitive Connections Arts Program for Patients with Alzheimer’s
An innovative, therapeutic arts training program designed for those with dementia and other neurological disorders.
New York, NY, August 25, 2011 --(PR.com)-- Cognitive Dynamics Foundation is proud to announce the debut of Cognitive Connections, a unique, therapeutic arts training program designed to teach caregivers and healthcare professionals how to reach inside the minds of those affected with Alzheimer’s and other cognitive impairments through art.
More than 5 million Americans are estimated to have Alzheimer’s disease. Many of those suffering in this disease have lost part of their ability to remember or communicate their needs and experiences.
Employing traditional and innovative therapy techniques developed by nationally-known experts in the expressive arts, Cognitive Connections teaches caregivers alternate techniques for communication.
Angel Duncan, the Executive Director of Cognitive Connections, explains: “Neuroscience has learned that different parts of the brain are used when a person is creating art versus speaking. In a dementia patient, where the traditional pathways of language have broken down, the patient can sometimes paint a memory or feeling they otherwise couldn’t articulate. The art can be a valuable diagnostic tool and a therapeutic remedy. With Cognitive Connections, we teach caregivers the skills to use art in this manner.”
“Cognitive Neuroscience has made great advances. It is thought that many components of the emotional self remain even into late-stage Alzheimer’s disease,” says Cognitive Dynamics Founder and President, neurologist Daniel C. Potts, MD. “Art and other expressive therapies can help unlock essential human elements.”
Cognitive Connections art-centric therapies are offered to clients in dementia daycare facilities, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, mental health centers, private homes, etc. Adds Ms. Duncan, “A lot of energy is being focused on understanding and finding a cure for Alzheimer’s disease, but we still need to keep our focus on patients’ needs today. Art needs science and science needs art. That is what Cognitive Connections is about.”
Cognitive Connections training programs are available now, nationwide.
About Cognitive Connections
Cognitive Connections is a dignity-promoting arts training initiative for caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of cognitive impairment. The training program was developed in collaboration with Cognitive Dynamics and Angel C. Duncan, MA-MFT, ATR. The goal of Cognitive Connections is to offer the benefits of art therapy (which include fostering of dignity, preservation of a sense of self-worth, and improvement in quality of life) to individuals affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of cognitive impairment. Realizing that not every community has access to board-certified art therapists, Cognitive Connections seeks to train professional and lay caregivers in proven techniques of art therapy so that its benefits may be more widely experienced.
About Cognitive Dynamics
Cognitive Dynamics, Inc. was founded in 2010 by American Academy of Neurology-recognized advocate, Dr. Daniel C. Potts, MD as a way to advance research and improve the quality of life for dementia patients and caregivers through innovative approaches incorporating the expressive arts. Cognitive Dynamics was born out of Dr. Potts’ personal firsthand experience. In 2002, Lester E. Potts, Jr., Dr. Potts’ late father, a rural Alabama saw miller, became an acclaimed watercolor artist after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Lester Potts Jr. had never previously shown artist talent but through the expressive arts, Lester’s cognition, mood, and behavior improved.
Seeing the benefits of expressive arts therapies, Cognitive Dynamics was founded with a mission to improve the quality of life of patients with cognitive disorders (such as Alzheimer’s disease) through education, research, and support of innovative care models. The foundation aims to promote human dignity, especially through therapies employing Expressive Arts Therapy
Contact:
Angel Duncan
Executive Director, Cognitive Connections
angel@cognitivedynamics.org
###
More than 5 million Americans are estimated to have Alzheimer’s disease. Many of those suffering in this disease have lost part of their ability to remember or communicate their needs and experiences.
Employing traditional and innovative therapy techniques developed by nationally-known experts in the expressive arts, Cognitive Connections teaches caregivers alternate techniques for communication.
Angel Duncan, the Executive Director of Cognitive Connections, explains: “Neuroscience has learned that different parts of the brain are used when a person is creating art versus speaking. In a dementia patient, where the traditional pathways of language have broken down, the patient can sometimes paint a memory or feeling they otherwise couldn’t articulate. The art can be a valuable diagnostic tool and a therapeutic remedy. With Cognitive Connections, we teach caregivers the skills to use art in this manner.”
“Cognitive Neuroscience has made great advances. It is thought that many components of the emotional self remain even into late-stage Alzheimer’s disease,” says Cognitive Dynamics Founder and President, neurologist Daniel C. Potts, MD. “Art and other expressive therapies can help unlock essential human elements.”
Cognitive Connections art-centric therapies are offered to clients in dementia daycare facilities, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, mental health centers, private homes, etc. Adds Ms. Duncan, “A lot of energy is being focused on understanding and finding a cure for Alzheimer’s disease, but we still need to keep our focus on patients’ needs today. Art needs science and science needs art. That is what Cognitive Connections is about.”
Cognitive Connections training programs are available now, nationwide.
About Cognitive Connections
Cognitive Connections is a dignity-promoting arts training initiative for caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of cognitive impairment. The training program was developed in collaboration with Cognitive Dynamics and Angel C. Duncan, MA-MFT, ATR. The goal of Cognitive Connections is to offer the benefits of art therapy (which include fostering of dignity, preservation of a sense of self-worth, and improvement in quality of life) to individuals affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of cognitive impairment. Realizing that not every community has access to board-certified art therapists, Cognitive Connections seeks to train professional and lay caregivers in proven techniques of art therapy so that its benefits may be more widely experienced.
About Cognitive Dynamics
Cognitive Dynamics, Inc. was founded in 2010 by American Academy of Neurology-recognized advocate, Dr. Daniel C. Potts, MD as a way to advance research and improve the quality of life for dementia patients and caregivers through innovative approaches incorporating the expressive arts. Cognitive Dynamics was born out of Dr. Potts’ personal firsthand experience. In 2002, Lester E. Potts, Jr., Dr. Potts’ late father, a rural Alabama saw miller, became an acclaimed watercolor artist after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Lester Potts Jr. had never previously shown artist talent but through the expressive arts, Lester’s cognition, mood, and behavior improved.
Seeing the benefits of expressive arts therapies, Cognitive Dynamics was founded with a mission to improve the quality of life of patients with cognitive disorders (such as Alzheimer’s disease) through education, research, and support of innovative care models. The foundation aims to promote human dignity, especially through therapies employing Expressive Arts Therapy
Contact:
Angel Duncan
Executive Director, Cognitive Connections
angel@cognitivedynamics.org
###
Contact
Cognitive Dynamics, Inc.
Angel Duncan
973-327-3151
www.cognitivedynamics.org
Angel Duncan
973-327-3151
www.cognitivedynamics.org
Contact
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