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Dementia patients and their families in Gwent are experiencing significant benefits from the person-centred Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) provided at Torfaen Memory Clinic.

Located within County Hospital’s Ty Siriol Unit in Pontypool, the sessions provide support for patients with mild to moderate dementia, empowering them to maintain their cognitive abilities and interact with others to improve their overall wellbeing.

The weekly two-hour CST sessions are part of a seven-week course for each patient cohort, run by dementia support worker Gail, and mental health practitioner Keith, with each participant typically referred into the programme by a psychiatrist or mental health nurse following an annual review or upon a new diagnosis.

Gail said: “We’re trying to capture patients at the start of their dementia journey to give them the tools to help with their diagnosis. Most of the patients we help are newly-diagnosed and are still living independently and functioning as usual.

“We try and focus the sessions heavily on the five senses, which are known to evoke memories, so we will often play music and utilise scents wherever we can.”

As part of the new joint working initiative, the program also supports patients’ families by inviting them to attend the dementia carers’ information course, which provides essential education on managing dementia care, introduces them to resources available across Gwent and offers an invaluable opportunity to meet others in similar situations.

At the end of the seven-week CST course, patients are signposted to Widdershins Day Centre, part of Age Cymru Torfaen, where they continue to receive ongoing support.

Cognitive Stimulation Therapy is currently provided in the Torfaen and Central Monmouthshire areas, with a view to implementing the service across all Gwent boroughs, including Caerphilly, in the future.