Developing Cumbria’s post dementia diagnostic support using Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST): Results and reflections on the treatment’s reintroduction post Covid-19

Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST, Spector et al., 2006) groups were part of the treatment provided by North Cumbria’s Community Older Adult Service until the Covid pandemic halted provision. Subsequently, treatment provided by the service to those diagnosed with a dementia relied heavily on pharmacological interventions to target the rate of cognitive decline. This paper documents the methodology of a service development project in Cumbria that reintroduced community CST groups, weekly for fourteen weeks across the year 2023. Preliminary findings demonstrate CST’s efficacy as a treatment for those living with a dementia diagnosis and coinciding low mood. Reflections shared from the project on the successes and challenges across its duration show its feasibility despite service pressures and resource limitations in a rural locality. In documenting this work, the project team aim to showcase the benefits of providing biopsychosocial care for older adults living with a dementia diagnosis and hope to inspire other Older Adult services to develop their post dementia diagnosis service provision using the CST protocols. With future iterations, more conclusive findings will be drawn and continued service development work has commenced in Cumbria on this project’s foundation within the Care Home and Educational Support System’s pathway.