Cognitive Stimulation Therapy

WHAT IS COGNITIVE STIMULATION THERAPY?

“Cognitive Skills are the skills the brain uses to think, learn, remember, problem solve and communicate. There are a number of different approaches to help people with dementia improve their memory and thinking skills, and to cope with memory loss. One of these is Cognitive Stimulation Therapy(CST). CST has been developed by reviewing the best available research on approaches to improve cognitive skills for people with dementia”

Benefits of CST

  • Found to benefit the memory and thinking skills of individuals with mild to moderate stage dementa
  • People with dementia who took part in CST reported an improvement in quality of daily life
  • Caregivers and family reported improvement in language and communication of people with dementia
  • UK National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommends that people with mild to moderate dementia should be offered the opportunity to participate in CST alongside pharmacological treatments

Participation Criteria

  • For those experiencing a deterioration in memory and/or thinking skills, or have received a diagnosis of mild to moderate stage dementia
  • Availability to participate in regular 2 hour group based sessions 
  • A willingness to challenge yourself and try new things
  • Can attend the sessions independently (without a caregiver or family member for support)

The CST program consists of small group sessions (maximum 15 participants) held over 3 terms per calendar year. Sessions cover a range of activities to stimulate thinking, memory & social skills i.e. discussing current news stories, activities that facilitate creative expression, and practical tasks required for independent living. This intervention provides an opportunity for clients to challenge themselves in a safe space, and to connect with others experiencing memory issues.

To register your interest in attending the CST Program please contact us HERE


“I have without doubt noticed a change in my father’s behaviour over the course of the program.  He seems generally more calm and settled.  His verbal communication is improved.  He was repeating himself frequently and seemed to rush things out that he had been going over in his head.   Recently he has been more calm and deliberate and had a more normal speech pattern. He seems to be more “in the real world” and less in his head.  I think this is due to the much needed social interaction and meaning he gains from the CST program”

CST Participant’s Daughter