Beth Abraham Health Services Celebrates the New Year with
“Expressions in Art Therapy”

An Exhibit Showcasing Selected Works of Their Talented Patients/Residents
BRONX, NY, January 23, 2007 – As we celebrate the beginning of a new year, many people often feel a renewed sense of inspiration and hope. Recently, these sentiments were also felt throughout the halls of Beth Abraham Health Services, a member of the Beth Abraham Family of Health Services, as they celebrated the grand opening of a special art exhibit entitled “Expressions in Art Therapy.” 
The exhibit showcases selected pieces of artwork created by some of Beth Abraham’s talented residents. The exhibit consists of a variety of vibrant creations, from hand painted water colors to sketches, and arts and crafts. Although the artists, who range in age from 24 to 93 years old, are similar in that they all reside at Beth Abraham -- their unique styles, personalities and abilities can be seen in each of their creations.  The artists, some of whom use adaptive devices to create their work, suffer from a wide range of debilitating disabilities such as traumatic brain injuries, strokes and spinal cord injuries.  
‘Expressions in Art Therapy’ is an opportunity for the Beth Abraham family to usher in the New Year by coming together to celebrate both our talented residents and our Therapeutic Recreation Specialists, who motivate our residents to overcome their challenges by exploring their feelings and emotions in a supportive and comforting environment,” said Connie Tejeda, Corporate Director of Marketing and Public Affairs for Beth Abraham Family of Health Services, “The determination and courage of our residents is an inspiration to us all.”  
The exhibit is due in large part to the dedication of Beth Abraham’s Therapeutic Recreation Specialists who provide treatment services and recreation activities to our residents. Therapeutic recreation helps patients rediscover the skills, joys and little pleasures in life that they knew before becoming ill or disabled. Our therapists work as part of a creative team to add absorbing and therapeutic activity to our residents’ days by coordinating activities that allow them to enjoy a full and rewarding life. Using a variety of techniques, including arts and crafts, animals, sports, games, dance and movement, drama, music, and community outings, they treat and maintain the physical, mental, social and emotional wellbeing of our patients.  Therapists help individuals reduce depression, stress, and anxiety; recover basic motor functioning and reasoning abilities; build confidence; and socialize.  
Susan Simpson, a resident a Beth Abraham since 2005, can attest to the benefits of recreation therapy.  “Participating in the art program lifts my spirits,” she says, “Art makes me feel like I’m  somebody.”  
Community members are invited to visit the exhibit, which will be on permanent display at Beth Abraham’s 612 Allerton Avenue facility. For more information about “Expressions in Art Therapy” or to learn more about Beth Abraham Health Services, please call 

(718) 519-4156 or (718) 519-4154 or visit us on the web
at www.bethabe.org.

Contact: Connie Tejeda (718) 519-4168
Email: ctejeda@bethabe.org

Founded in 1920, Beth Abraham Family of Health Services is a non-for-profit, continuing care organization established to care for poor, chronically ill and disabled adults of varying ages and backgrounds. In the
forefront of continuing health care, Beth Abraham’s services include four residential skilled nursing facilities, adult day health Care programs, home care and AIDS home care, and independent housing facilities for the elderly and disabled. Beth Abraham sponsors the nation’s largest Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) through Comprehensive Care Management (CCM). Its world-renowned Institute for Music and Neurologic Function is dedicated to advancing scientific inquiry on music and the brain and to developing clinical treatments to benefit people of all ages. With more than 3,000 employees, Beth Abraham serves nearly 5,000 people daily and remains committed to making life better for people. 
For more information on Beth Abraham Family of Health Services, please visit www.bethabe.org.