Making Cognitive Stimulation Therapy sessions more inclusive for dementia patients

Making therapy sessions more inclusive

We were approached for funding to support the delivery of a Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) group at Willow House. The funding helped the team to purchase items to make the sessions more inclusive, user friendly and adaptable, improving the patient experience and allowing them to get the most out of the therapy.

"The whole point of CST is to stimulate the brain,” said Rachel Albrecht, LLAMS Occupational Therapist at Willow House in Whiston. “If patients can’t access the information easily, that can prevent the therapy from being as effective.”

“The new board is more accessible. It breaks down barriers as I can take it over to patients. The board is a really simple piece of equipment that has been a fantastic support. I can wheel it over to them, they can write on it, they can interact more easily; it improves engagement.”

A long table was also purchased which helps during craft sessions and has enabled the therapy to take place in the conservatory where patients are familiar with their surroundings. Previously, the tables used were small and round and located in the staff area.

“Both the table and the whiteboard have made a huge impact. For creative therapy, our patients can share tools around the table more easily than they have before. Having items in front of them means they can have more agency in the decisions that they make."