High contrast: 
The value of Creative Ageing programs has been recognised by the NSW Government with the appointment of Arts and Health Australia's Margret Meagher
NSW Family and Community Services - Ageing Disability and Home Care Press Release
Read more...Posted by Administrator on Sun, 21 Aug 2011
Emmy Monash Aged Care has won a prestigious industry award recognising its innovative arts-based lifestyle project.
The Life Enrichment Project, co-ordinated by Pamela Bruder, has received a 2011 Better Practice Award from the Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency (ACSAA). The Better Practice awards promote and recognise improvement and better practice in aged care homes that succeed in going above and beyond.
Emmy Monash is one of only 16 national recipients in the Resident Lifestyle category.
The Life Enrichment Project, which is intergenerational, interfaith and intercultural, provides residents with a means of expression through creative arts-based programs, and includes the ‘Generations In One Voice’ Community Choir and The Jeanne Pratt Drama Group. The choir will soon perform at Parliament House for the launch of the ‘Courage to Care’ exhibition and the drama group was a star attraction at the home’s Liberation and Inspiration Festival earlier this year.
Emmy Monash CEO Tanya Abramzon said the award is recognition by the industry for the vital role this holistic program plays in the lives of residents. “This groundbreaking project is life changing and has broken down so many barriers and stigmas. It is wholly supported by the community which makes the award especially meaningful,” she said. “We are a small organisation with limited resources. This award is testament to the commitment by staff and the community to provide our residents with the very best care.”
The ACSAA has more information about the awards as well as the Life Enrichment Project on its website, www.accreditation.org.au and in the October edition of its newsletter, The Standard.
Read more...Posted by Administrator on Thu, 20 Oct 2011
17 November 2011
Emma O'Brien, Manager Music Therapy at The Royal Melbourne Hospital receiving her award from the Premier Ted Baillieu.
The pioneer of the world-renowned Music Therapy Program at The Royal Melbourne Hospital has been honoured for the use of music and songwriting to improve the quality of life for cancer patients.
Premier Ted Baillieu presented the hospital's Senior Music Therapist and Manager, Emma O’Brien, with a Health Leader’s Award for Enabling Person and Family-Centred Care at the 2011 Victorian Public Healthcare Awards in Melbourne.
The Premier’s Award for Enabling Person and Family-Centred Care highlights outstanding health leadership in the delivery of healthcare around the needs and experiences of people with a serious illness.
Minister for Health David Davis said through 14 years of dedication Ms O’Brien had become an internationally-renowned innovator by pioneering Music Therapy in Cancer Care at The Royal Melbourne Hospital.
“In 2005, Ms O’Brien’s songwriting method, where original songs are written together with cancer patients at the bedside, was featured internationally in a major documentary film, and she has released two major CDs of songs, both of which have featured on radio,” Mr Davis said.
The diagnosis of cancer and its treatment is a devastating experience and cancer patients can experience high levels of distress, low mood and feelings of helplessness.
“It is vital that the emotional and psychosocial aspects of a patient’s journey are part of their treatment, and using music therapy Ms O’Brien assists cancer patients to express their feelings,” Mr Davis said.
“Patients are involved in every musical step, melodic choice, verse and chorus setting and the guitar style, and when the song is completed they are given a CD of it for their personal use."
Media contact: Catherine Lander 0419 878 925
Read more...Posted by Administrator on Mon, 6 Feb 2012
In June, the Centre for Medical Humanities, at Durham University UK, convened a 'critical mass' meeting of its international partners in community-based arts in health.
Read more...Posted by Administrator on Thu, 21 Jul 2011
Executive director of Arts and Health Australia, Margret Meagher is one of 20 people, elected from a field of 300, to be designated as a 2011 Distinguished Fellow of the Society for the Arts in Healthcare (SAH) for "outstanding vision, leadership and commitment to excellence in the field of the arts in healthcare".
Read more...Posted by Margret Meagher on Wed, 27 Apr 2011
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