04. Cognitive Stimulation Therapy & Living Well with Dementia
Dementia Unravelled · Lyndal Harris | Compassionate Transitions
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Show Notes
What if one of the most effective tools for supporting someone living with dementia wasn't a medication, but a conversation?
In this episode, Lyndal introduces Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) - an evidence-based program that improves thinking skills, boosts confidence, and reduces isolation for people living with mild to moderate dementia. And the best part? Participants describe it as genuinely fun.
Lyndal shares what happens in a session, what the research actually says, and why this is the work that she loves.
In this episode:
- What if the most effective dementia support also happened to be enjoyable
- Where CST came from and the scale of its reach around the world
- The research finding that puts CST in the same conversation as dementia medication
- Why social isolation is one of the biggest concerns for people living with dementia
- What actually happens in a CST session
- The surprising thing about childhood memories and why they're so powerful in dementia support
- The physical activity, and why it's in every single session
- Can CST work one-to-one? Lyndal shares a story that says it all
- What happens after the 14 sessions are done
- What families notice, and the feedback that makes this work so rewarding.
Links & Resources
- Dementia Wellness CST groups - in-person and virtual
- CST Australia website
- Professor Aimee Spector / UCL CST research
- Compassionate Transitions website
This podcast is for educational purposes only and isn't a substitute for professional medical advice.