Retirements and

Participants: 10 residents

Mrs. Leneveu organized the first Catharsis musical program to provide the elderly a break from routine daily activities. As the residents (82 years old on average) listened to the music, she noticed that they appea- red relaxed and the music seemed to bring a sense of calm and relief to those with Alzheimer's disease. She writes, “The positive reaction manifested by our residents was noticed by all of the caregivers as well as by Dr. Gatet, gerontologist.”

Participants: 8 residents with Alzeihmer disease

Mrs Leneveu and Dr Gatet reported that all residents who participated in the program, either experienced a decrease in physical pain, or improvement their mood which helped them to be less disoriented. They also report better communication.

Participants: 20 residents

Anne Deparnay, an ergotherapist, proposed this treatment to residents presenting with significant spatial- temporal disorientation, and behavioral difficulties such as anguish, aggressiveness, or anxiety. For Ms Deparnay and nurse coordinator, Ms. Tuy Rainsart, the elements of comprehension that these disoriented individuals exhibited throughout the sessions, allowed them together with the professional staff, to establi- sh simple and concrete actions in response to their issues which the residents were able to execute. For example, the caregiver-patient relationship became less problematic in regards to personal hygiene and daily living activities such as using the restroom without incident.

Participants: 20 patients

Mrs. Anna Mateus (psychologist), along with three psychiatric aides, were trained to administer the Catharsis Technique to a group of residents. The main goal of implementing the program within the insti- tution was to offer concrete solutions to people exhibiting cognitive difficulties, regardless of the severity of illness. Significant changes were noted with nearly all of the residents who participated. The team observed reduction of motor agitation and wandering, physical relaxation, release of distress. These positive results encouraged them to continue implementing the program. In addition, families and professional staff confir- med these results by observing ongoing changes in the resident’s daily activities (16). On December 4, 2008, the team trained in the Catharsis Technique presented their findings at the 3rd National Conference on Aging and the Aged in Paris.

Participants: 30 residents

Mr. Jean Ménard made the decision to train five members of his personnel in the Catharsis Technique in order to develop a personalized system of care for seniors. Having always placed an emphasis on the quali- ty of care-giving for the most dependent individuals, he immediately recognized the potential benefit of applying the Catharsis Technique to those patients who are disoriented and incoherent as well as those who were exhibiting Alzheimer-like illness. Very quickly the staff recognized an improvement in communication with the residents involved in the Catharsis Technique. They note that these seniors had the ability to resol- ve feelings of grief when exposed to the music. The staff observes that this therapeutic tool was effective with those who were the most difficult to stimulate. For the team, this technique created a new way of being with the patients as well as an opportunity to reflect on their role as caregivers and the benefit of incorpo- rating a complimentary therapy to traditional medical care in order to enhance the quality of life for their residents.

Participants: 8 residents

Two men and six women (ages 78-88) diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and/or associated disorder parti- cipated in a 12 week graphic expression under musical induction sessions called the Catharsis Application Program. These residents were monitored for changes in behavior, socialization, communication and the ability to express emotions. Upon completion of the program, it was determined that all the therapeutic goals selected for each participant was achieved and for three out of eight, the results surpassed the expec- tations of the goals initially established. The benefits associated with involvement in the program included improved self image, enhanced interaction and communication between residents, reduced anxiety, brigh- ter affect, more focused attention and a reeducation in wandering behavior. For the professional staff, it gave them a new perspective on how to relate to the residents and prompted them to alter their approach of caring for them on a daily basis.

Participants: 8 Residents

Chantal Desmoulins had the opportunity to present the Catharsis Technique to Dr. Karen Miller at the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior (NPI).

At Dr. Miller's recommendation, she made contact with the Opica Center, which offers a weekly program for individuals experiencing early memory loss, who might, therefore, benefit from a program of musical listening with drawing offered by the Catharsis Technique.

Emily Carvill, Program Supervisor at Opica, was indeed interested in this program and directed Chantal Desmoulins to Anne Galbraith, Director of Counseling. Anne works with a group of 8 people with early memory loss.

On a demonstration basis, a few sessions of the Catharsis Technique were offered to these 8 individuals.