Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) In Waldorf, MD
Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) In Waldorf, MD
Dementia gradually robs you of your memories and communication skills and can even change your behavior. One Alkaline Life, LLC’s team of mental health professionals offers cognitive stimulation therapy (CST) to people with dementia, helping to slow the decline in cognitive function and keep memories alive. To see how cognitive stimulation therapy could help you or a loved one, call the One Alkaline Life, LLC office in Waldorf, Maryland, or schedule a telehealth appointment using the online booking form.
Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) Q&A
CST helps people with mild to moderate dementia caused by conditions like Alzheimer’s. CST uses themed activities to promote continual learning, boost mental stimulation, and support people in social situations.
One of the main approaches with CST is social engagement, so treatment may take place in a group setting. One Alkaline Life, LLC’s team of mental health professionals achieves this by using secure video technology. That means patients don’t have to leave their homes, and people across the United States can join the group.
Patients can also participate in individual CST with one of the practice’s highly skilled providers.
CST activities might include:
- Puzzles
- Games
- Playing instruments
- Reading and discussing a current news item
- Recalling celebrities from previous eras
- Making a simple recipe
- Throwing a ball
- Low-impact exercises
- Singing a song
CST is a friendly, safe place that uses consistent themes and activities, something that’s often important to people with dementia.
The team of mental health professionals at One Alkaline Life, LLC starts a conversation, typically using topics that involve patients recalling memories from the past. This is often easier for people with dementia, who tend to retain older memories while newer ones slip away. Comparing their childhood to children’s lives today is a typical example.
Dementia causes an incurable decline in brain function that can be extremely challenging to treat. The few medications available for treating dementia can’t reverse cognitive decline, and as symptoms worsen, patients and their families find life increasingly difficult and frustrating.
Therapies that improve psychological well-being are particularly valuable and can significantly improve patients’ and their caregivers’ quality of life.
CST helps improve patients’ cognitive abilities, participation in social exchanges, and communication skills. Some people also experience a reduction in aggression and other challenging behaviors.
CST is quite a new approach, but evidence supports its usefulness. Some research indicates that CST may be as effective as medications for improving patients’ memories, visuospatial abilities (judging distance and avoiding bumping into things), and language processing.
A dementia specialist may recommend CST alongside medication for optimal results.
If you or someone you love is battling with symptoms of dementia, contact One Alkaline Life, LLC’s team of mental health professionals to learn more about cognitive stimulation therapy. Call or book a telehealth appointment online today.