Robot Pilot Project
In response to COVID-19, APP has created an innovative program using telepresence robots.
Alzheimer’s Poetry Project (APP)
Welcome to the APP On-Line Training!
The mission of the APP is to improve the quality of life of people living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia by facilitating creative expression through poetry. We do not set boundaries in our beliefs in what possible for people with memory impairment to create. By saying to people with dementia, we value you and your creativity; we are saying we value all members of our community.
APP was founded by Gary Glazner and has won several awards, including the 2013, Rosalinde Gilbert Innovations in Alzheimer’s Disease Caregiving Legacy Award and the 2012 MetLife Foundation Creativity and Aging in America Leadership Award in the category of Community Engagement. The National Endowment for the Arts listed the APP as a “best practice.” NBC's “Today” show, and NPR's “All Things Considered” have featured segments on Glazner’s work.
Handouts
Training Handout (If possible please download and print.)
(JAMA) Journal of American Medical Associations Essay on APP
Poetry Chapter from Glazner’s Book “Dementia Arts: Celebrating Creativity in elder care,” (If Possible Please download Print.)
Improvisation Chapter from Glazner’s book, “Dementia Arts: Celebrating creativity in elder care,” (If Possible please download and print.)
APP and TimeSlips Play and People with Dementia
Please Know:
Our main goal is to help your residents express themselves.
We will use the training to become better at communication.
Don’t stress about watching all the videos and doing the homework.
Do as much as you are able.
We will cover all of this information in the in-person training as well.
Excited to be working with you!
Watch an overview of the APP
Watch an overview of Alzheimer’s Poetry Project on PBS NewsHour (8:24 min.)
Learn about the 4 techniques mentioned in the video and be prepared to discuss this in the training workshop. 1) Call and Response; 2) Discussions; 3) Props; 4) Creating a Poem Together.
Two Short Poems Showing Call and Response (This is the main APP technique)
Call and Response “Hope" (39 seconds)
Call and Response "The Tyger" (14 Seconds)
2. Watch APP in action- Learn APP Methods
APP Methods with Elders and Youth Performing and Creating Poetry (7:08 min.)
Watch the training demonstration video above and add your notes and questions on the four key components o APP. Watch the video carefully because this is what you will need to do with your resident or loved one.
3. Tree Poem
Viewing tasks: We will see two videos. The first video is a demonstration of the call and response technique around the theme of nature.
Call and Response Video (2:18 MIN.)
The second video shows how Gary Glazner asks open-ended questions to help create an original poem. In the checklist below mark/tally every time you hear the different types of questions used.
Creating a Poem Together (9:45 MIN.)
4. Starry Night
Now watch how Gary Glazner turns around a reluctant partner into a poet. What strategies did he use to achieve this?
Starry Night Father and Son Care Dyad (7.25 MIN.)
5. Validation
Watch use of moment and humor during the performance of the poem. As the poem ends watch how Glazner uses validation to support the husband and wife care dyad’s creativity.
He repeats back key words and phrases to show he is listening deeply and respecting them.
Bird Poem, Husband and Wife Care Dyad (I min.)
6. Intergenerational Programming:
Brooklyn Tech at New York Memory Center (2:42 Min.)
Students from Brooklyn Tech and their teacher Matthew Adelizzi, take a field trip to New York Memory Center to perform poetry with elders living with memory loss. This is our 4 year of working with Brooklyn Tech.