The Importance of CST

Through the eyes of our Co-Facilitator

A diagnosis of dementia can feel like the end of the world. It’s all too easy to look ahead, imagining what may be in store for you in the years to come. There’s no sugar-coating the medical facts: dementia is a progressive disease and there is no cure. However, dementia is often a long journey, with long periods of stability in symptoms. Aside from taking daily medication, there are other ways of managing your memory issues.

I hadn’t heard of Cognitive Stimulation Therapy before I started work as a CST Co-Facilitator for Memory Matters six months ago. I’d previously worked in domicilary care, visiting clients in their homes to assist with personal care, medication management, outings, appointments, food prep and so on. I visited a lot of elderly clients, many living with dementia, and all at different stages of their dementia journey. I had no prior experience of dementia, never even met anyone who had been diagnosed. It was daunting. But you soon learn to see the person, not the disease, and those visits became some of the most personally satisfying to do. 

CST is designed for people diagnosed with mild to moderate memory issues, so those near the beginning of their dementia journey. It’s proven to improve cognitive function in those taking part. Groups are small – usually between six and eight participants – and last for two hours. Each session covers a particular topic, say, childhood or music, with activities designed to stimulate memories, categorisation and sequencing. We always discuss the date, the weather, an item in the newspaper, and eat a lot of biscuits. 

As Co-Facilitator it’s my job to help make sure the session runs smoothly and that everyone gets the most of out of it that they can. I’m there to start conversations, to assist with activities and to be a friendly, familiar face each week. Some people arrive at the start of the 15-week session run feeling very uncertain as to whether CST is right for them, worried that it’ll be all singing nursery rhymes and doing crafts. More often than not, they come away feeling very differently, having met people who are in the same situation as themselves, had a good discussion about anything and everything, and exercised their brains along the way. I feel so proud of everyone who comes along to our sessions. CST is the first step along a dementia journey, and I feel so proud of everyone who has taken such a positive decision for their future health.