The Importance of CST – Through the eyes of our Co-Facilitator
The Importance of CST Through the eyes of our Co-Facilitator A diagnosis of dementia can feel like the end of the world. It’s all too easy to look ahead, imagining what may be in store for you in the years to come. There’s no sugar-coating the medical facts:...
Introducing The CST App
The CST App The Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) App from Memory Matters CIC is our new exciting and groundbreaking tool designed to improve cognitive function in individuals with dementia. This app provides a wide range of stimulating activities that are...
Is Dementia Hereditary?
According to the Alzheimer’s Society, 1 in 4 people know someone close to them who is living with dementia – but is dementia hereditary? It is a known fact that families look alike. This is because of genes. Genes are complex structures comprised of DNA that make up...
What is Vascular Dementia?
At Memory Matters, we are often asked about the different types of dementia. What is vascular dementia? And what causes it? Vascular dementia is a type of dementia. Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a set of symptoms caused by several progressive medical...
What is the Difference Between Dementia and Alzheimer’s?
What is the difference between dementia and Alzheimer’s? Contrary to popular belief, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are not the same, although both terms are often used interchangeably. The difference between dementia and Alzheimer’s disease Dementia is an umbrella...
What is Dementia?
It’s normal for your memory to be affected by stress, tiredness, illnesses and certain medicines. However, if you’re over the age of 65 and are becoming increasingly forgetful and confused, then it may be a good idea to talk to your GP about the early signs of...
The ‘D’ Word – UK Health Radio Interview
The 'D' Word is the UK's only dementia based radio show. Talking to experts and people living with dementia, presenter Pete Hill aims to raise the profile of the condition that affects 50 million people across the globe. The radio programme is listened to around the...
3 Ideas for a Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) Sounds Session
The Sound session is designed to promote concentration and recall as well as distinguishing and recognising sounds. Like all CST sessions the session aims also to promote word finding and naming. Importantly we want to ensure that we are continuously promoting opinion...
Why People Living with Dementia Are The Masters Of Reducing Our Frustration
If you work with or love someone or many with dementia you will know that frustration is a new part of life. Frustration when you are unable to help the person understand what you need them to do. Frustration when they are unable to make you understand what they need....
5 Stimulating Things to Do to Help Someone with Dementia.
If you love someone living with dementia you will know how tricky it can be to get the balance right when it comes to helping with cognitively stimulating activities. But with a bit of thought and preparation, you can add activities into the day that will help people...
Preventing Your Own Dementia – Are You Being A Bit of An Ostrich?
Dementia is a little bit like a pension; some of us have it sorted. These people have been putting money aside since they started their first job - (you know who you are! And you are right to have a smug face!). These people know their retirement is going to be...
Virtual Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (vCST) Case Study
Theresa regularly attends Memory Matters CST sessions, and she loves them. Theresa lives on her own and normally drives herself to the sessions each week, as she has little support from her family. Theresa loves to socialise, so it was important to her to try and get...
Virtual CST- Watch a Session
We usually run weekly workshops in 5 areas in Cornwall. After lockdown was announced we moved quickly to get as many of our beneficiaries online as we could. By the second week of lockdown most groups had an online option with support from the team to get them online....
Helping Someone with Dementia to Stay Mentally Active
Learn the key principles to cognitive stimulation to help loved ones stay mentally active whilst staying at home. We have spent the last ten years working with people living with dementia on keeping mentally active. There is definitely something in the idea of 'use it...
Getting Good Life Balance Whilst Staying at Home
We have been asked if there is anything we can do to help you fill the days during isolation. Whilst some people are happy to just go with the flow and see what happens during the day, others are looking for some direction to engage in activity. Some people feel...
COVID-19 Volunteers – Successful Dementia Conversation Tips
The unprecedented situation we find ourselves in is meaning we are are all having to learn fast. If you are volunteering in your community delivering food shopping or helping out your neighbours you may be helping people living with dementia. Here’s some top tips for...
5 Things to help you keep Brain Fit while self-isolating
As many of us find ourselves stuck at home, we may find ourselves starting to feel that our brains are lacking the stimulation that we receive in our normal day-to-day life. In my six week course, I work with people to improve their brain health by focusing on key...
Useful Links for Those Affected by a Diagnosis of Dementia
I had the joy on Wednesday of taking part in a live webinar hosted by RBS for their staff entitled “Dealing with a Dementia Diagnosis” Max Pownell, Founder and Director from Carecalls CIC, www.carecalls.co.uk and I chatted about the things that people affected by a...
Do something novel to keep your brain fit today!
Experiencing something new creates the ‘Novelty response’ in the brain. Our hippocampus jumps into action as soon as we engage with something novel. Our brains are activated by anything we haven’t experienced before as it is hard-wired to become alert. This is thought...
Why do I forget names?
I have just come back from one of our lottery funded public talks 'How to remember things better' at Truro library. It was great fun and the room was full of friendly people who just want their memories to work better! Don't we all! there was some hilarity that I was...
10 Healthy Brain Habits you can do today…
1. Get up and go to be bed early. 2. Drink a whole glass of water as soon as you get up. 3. Write 3 things you are grateful for. 4. Do something that makes you sweat. 5. Wear clothes that make you feel good, no matter what you are doing. 6. Tidy up. Keep your space...
Five Successful Conversation Starters That Don’t Rely on Memory
Memory Difficulties are the most common symptom people living with dementia experience. Conversations generally rely on us remembering what has been said just a minute ago to keep the flow which can be tricky and our ‘small talk’ usually relies heavily on recalling...
Are Mandalas Good For The Brain?
I wasn't that long ago that I had become a little obsessed with mandalas. I even attempted to convince Kate (my co-director) that Memory Matters could have a little rebrand and become Mandala Matters instead, with a marvellous mandala logo. She said "no" A mandala is...
Who’s Driving?
Another great Insight from Memory Matters Trainer Phillippa Hodge through having coffee with her friend who lives with dementia.
Repetitive Questions
Our trainer Phillippa Hodge explores dealing with repetitive questions…
Who’s Behaviour is Challenging Anyway?
Memory Matters’ Trainer Phillippa Hodge tells us about her experience with her friend John and how her willingness to learn how the world may look from his perspective helped those around him to communicate more effectively.