Cognitive Stimulation

In recent years, studies have shown that cognitive stimulation can help with many different brain issues and injuries. Often times, therapists find that the use of cognitive stimulation can be a very effective part of their therapies.

An Introduction to Cognitive Stimulation TherapyCST, or 'Cognitive Stimulation Therapy', is a brief treatment for people with mild to moderate dementia. ... Sessions aim to actively stimulate and engage people with dementia, whilst providing an optimal learning environment and the social benefits of a group or individual session.Interact group program is a cognitive stimulation therapy program for individuals across the cognitive spectrum. Designed to be delivered through human interaction with a certified Fit Minds Cognitive Coach, the program provides essential face time- a key element for reducing anxiety and depression. Fit Mind sessions are generally offered twice a week for at least 10 weeks. Studies have shown to be more effective twice-weekly, but you are able to set your Fit Minds schedule to fit your needs.This type of intervention has been shown to significantly improve quality of life, social interaction, communication, and cognitive abilities in people with dementia and, in some cases, also improve challenging behavior. There is some evidence of continued effectiveness and enhanced quality of life for participants in follow-up maintenance with Fit Minds

Stimulating activities can help people with Alzheimer’s:

• Encourage Self-Expression

• Foster Emotional Connections with others

• Lessen any Anxiety and Irritability that Alzheimer’s may bring

• Make people with Alzheimer’s feel more engaged

• Stir Memories

• Work on Short/Long Term Memory

Content of the Individual Program

Each session contains exercises in five key areas of cognition:

• Language and music

• Visual/spatial orientation

• Memory

• Critical thinking, and

• Computation

This global approach to cognitive stimulation therapy has proven to be the most effective method of delivering CST. Each session gives a complete cognitive workout. Additionally, coaches can supplement the sessions with exercises using Fit Minds Session materials.
While the program is accessed through a computer interface, the individual session is delivered by a human being. This focus on human interaction is the foundation of the program.

Generate Reports The platform also allows coaches to generate detailed reports. Coach session notes and assessment results are pulled into a reporting feature. Reports can be generated as needed and can be shared via link with your clients, their families and the health care team. As well, all program data and reports are maintained on a secure server.

Program Outcomes The key improvements observed are in quality of life. Research shows that relationships and human interactions are important to seniors. Using this program, coaches develop deep 

Personal relationships with those they work with. Your interactions will add immeasurably to their quality of life.

What is Cognitive Stimulation Therapy? Why does it work?

Cognitive stimulation therapy (CST) is a series of mental exercises that stimulate the brain.

Because of the concept of brain plasticity, we know the brain can continue to grow as we age.

The key question for many of us is how do we make that happen?

Growing Your Grey Matter

Research has shown that grey matter grows or increases when the brain learns new and complex material.The idea of new and complex is somewhat personal. New and complex to me is going to be different than new and complex to you.The important element in the activity or exercise is an appropriate level of challenge and engagement.

One research study at the University of Hamburg on medical students demonstrated this growth of grey matter. In this study, the grey matter in the students’ brains grew in size over a six week period that coincided with studying for final exams. Their brains actually grew in size!

This doesn’t mean you have to study medicine to get a big brain. What it does show is that learning new material is a positive step for brain health.

The Impact of Growing Your Grey Matter

Building your cognitive resilience can impact on how your brain buffers against disease or how quickly and to what extent you recover from a brain trauma. Individuals with a higher cognitive resilience have a greater capacity in both these areas.

Sister Bernadette, a nun who took part in the Nun Study is a case in point. She had been a high school teacher and very active in her community. At the age of 85 she died of a heart attack. An autopsy upon her death discovered significantly advanced Alzheimer’s disease. The team following her during the study concluded that her level of cognitive resilience was able to create a buffer against the disease and she died of other causes.

The media has also reported on the effects of brain plasticity and cognitive resilience after significant head traumas.The cases of both Congresswoman Gabriel Gifford or Canadian Army Captain Trevor Green come to mind. Both of them suffered devastating brain injuries – Congresswoman Gifford was shot in the head, Captain Green was attacked with an axe. Given their background, it is safe to assume that they had significant cognitive resilience. They were both able to rewire and recover significant brain function through both physical and mental exercises. Their example offers great hope for individuals with a traumatic brain injury.

Cognitive Resilience and Dementia

Cognitive Stimulation therapy offers healthy older adults a ways to improve and encourage higher levels of mental activity. This reduces the risk of developing dementia later on in life. Building cognitive resilience can happen at any stage of life – whether you are young or old. It is never too late!

This engaged approach also works with individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. Cognitive stimulation therapy programs, like those developed by Fit Minds, cover different areas of cognition and provide greater benefits than programs that focus on only one cognitive domain like memory. When we are engaged and interested we try harder. So programming that engages and interests an individual makes it easier for them to challenge their brains.

Research has shown that CST is as effective as dementia drugs in improving cognition. Dr. Aimee Spector showed in a research trial that CST had the same positive impact as dementia drugs. This doesn’t mean you should replace drug therapy in treating dementia. CST is a great supporting therapy or alternative when drug options are not available. In fact, research has shown that CST improves outcomes when used in conjunction with dementia drugs.

Dr. Spector also reported that CST had a significant impact on quality of life. Pause and consider which you would find more engaging –

fun, positive human interactions around shared activities or receiving a pill.

I bet you didn’t choose the pill!

Interacting with another human being is vital for mental health. We all know that intuitively but it is also supported by research data.

Cognitive Stimulation Therapy works on many levels.

First, it provides engaging and challenging brain activities for the individual. One of the key elements of dementia is apathy and the inability to self-motivate. This is a function of the disease. Thus it makes it difficult for individuals to do self-paced brain exercise or activities. By engaging in a CST program the individual feels encouraged and supported in exercising their brain.

The second element that makes CST so effective is the social interaction that is inherent in the therapy. This therapy is human to human contact. We are wired to interact with other human beings. This applies to each of us – whether suffering from some form of dementia or not. The human to human contact allows for the programming to be immediately customized to the person. A computer can’t laugh with you – a computer can’t cry with you – why would we want it to? There is something immensely satisfying in interacting with another human being. A machine can’t replace that.

The third and final element that makes CST an effective therapy is the effect it has on the individual who receives it. The therapy – at its best – can provide meaning and purpose to an individual’s life.

So much gets taken away by this cruel disease.

Cognitive Stimulation Therapy offers an opportunity to build up self esteem, create friendship and give life purpose and meaning. 

Contact Gina or Sherry start your Cognitive Stimulation Therapy today!! 251-445-4204

6 GEMS You Need to Know For A Positive Approach to Dementia Care

 Sapphire:


A sapphire is a “true blue.” Sapphires may feel “blue” due to changes with the aging process, although there are no significant changes in cognition and no signs of dementia. They are committed to lifelong patterns, enjoying the things the way they’ve always been.A Sapphire is a brain that is aging normally, flexible, organized, and is able to work with all the other GEMS. People in a Sapphire state are the ideal care partners for someone living with dementia, as they possess the adaptability to go with the flow and appropriately interact with the GEMS state of the person in their care.Note: When stressed, even a healthy brain can slip out of the Sapphire state. When that happens, the best thing you can do is to take a deep breath and a break (if possible) to help get yourself back into that calm and collected state.

 Diamond:

The first stage of actual dementia, or the diamond stage, occurs with the first signs of change or signals of a stressed brain. Diamonds are “clear and sharp,” successful with established habits and routines. Diamonds like to feel competent and valued, and it is important for them to feel comfortable and in control. A diamond can still do things as they always have, but they become more territorial and less aware of boundaries.People in a Diamond state are still clear and sharp, but become increasingly rigid. They tend to have a lot of facets to them, but are noticeably inflexible and are able to still cut you or hurt you. Diamonds don’t do well with change, but are still very much able to shine. They are who they were, but they are different. This can make it difficult for care partners to acknowledge that the person is really living with dementia, as they still know what they’re doing but appear increasingly stubborn.

 Emerald:

Emeralds are green and “on the go.” Vague, and flawed internally, they may get lost in their past life, places, and roles. They may have problems with communication and comprehension, asking who, what, where, and when often. Emeralds are most comfortable when doing familiar tasks. They like to engage, help others, feel like they have a purpose.Unlike the Diamond, people living in the Emerald state are no longer clear and sharp. This is usually the state at which people begin to struggle and get identified as having something going on. Emeralds are on the go, but might get lost in time or place and their words aren’t always as clear and sharp as they used to be. An Emerald is flawed but unaware, thinking that everything is fine, so they may cast blame on someone else. In this state, care partners are likely to notice mistakes. Instead of pointing out the flaw, care partners will likely have much greater success by going with the flow.

 Amber:

Amber likes to live in moments of time, and are focused on sensation – manipulating, gathering and touching things. They are focused on wants and needs, and sometimes are exploratory without safety awareness. Their communication is limited with difficulty understanding and expressing needs, so activities selected need be familiar and sensory stimulating.People living in an Amber state tend to be caught in a moment of time. Many Amber's are all about sensations, and what something feels like. They are therefore more curious than cautious, and lack safety awareness. An Amber is all about seeking things they like, but may strongly respond to things they don’t like. So, this is the state at which care partners often struggle to not turn into a Diamond themselves, as the person’s behavior is so inconsistent with who they used to be.

 Ruby:

Rubies experience late-stage changes as fine motor skills are very limited. Loses in depth perception, as well as limited visual awareness and major sensory changes result in needed assistance with utensils, brushing, buttoning and moving. Hand-under-hand assistance helps rubies feel safe and secure.In this state of dementia, fine-motor skills in a person’s eyes, fingers, mouth, and feet begin to fade. A Ruby might therefore have trouble figuring things out visually, and struggle with speech production as well as chewing and swallowing at times. While fine-motor skills get lost, a Ruby can still do larger, gross movements, like clapping hands or holding onto things. In this state the person’s strength remains fairly unchanged, so they might firmly hold on to you or miscellaneous items without knowing how to let go. It’s easy for care partners to get stressed and go Diamond in this state, so it is particularly important to take a step back, take a deep breath so you can get oxygen to your brain, and try to let go of what was so you can be a Sapphire once again.

 Pearl:

Layered and hidden in a shell, pearls are still and quiet, unable to actively move or respond, and have a limited awareness of the world. Pearls enjoy pleasant sounds and familiar voices, grasping onto moments of connection.Understanding each stage of the process allows care partners to gain a deeper insight into what clients are experiencing.  After an in-home assessment, we work to create a plan of care to help your loved one live in the comfort of their home.The model allows care partners to build activity lists and communication techniques that aid individuals through each stage.Similar to an oyster shell, which tend to be ugly on the outside but can hold a treasured GEM on the inside, care partners can find a Pearl in this last state of dementia if they just know where and how to look. In this state, the brain has changed so that the person’s reflexes are turned on non-stop, body systems begin to shut down, and gross motor skills are lost. The person becomes trapped, but with the right care the shell relaxes just enough to produce the amazing Pearl that is still there. In this state care partners tend to spend way too much energy on preserving the shell, but miss the GEM that’s still residing inside.

The question for all of us is, can we see the precious and unique?

By seeing the person living with dementia as the valuable GEM they are and offering them the right care and setting, we’re giving them the opportunity to shine.

Caring for a person living with dementia isn’t easy, but with the right skills and tools, the journey can be significantly more rewarding.

One-On-One Cognitive Coaching: The Personal Trainer for the Mind

Do you have a loved one in your life whom you care about? There are a variety of ways to show that love and concern, whether the person is living independently or in a senior living community. You call. You send cards. You visit when you can. You stay connected. Your behaviors show that you care deeply about maintaining this senior’s quality of life. But there’s another way to show you care, especially if you have a loved one with dementia.

 It’s one-on-one cognitive coaching through Fit Minds’ Personal Trainer for the Mind program. Think of it as akin to a personal trainer for your body. Our certified Fit Minds coaches meet regularly with seniors to provide cognitive lessons that have been customized to the person’s current abilities in five key areas:

• Language and music
• Visual/spatial orientation
• Memory
• Critical thinking
• Computation

If you’re caring for a loved one with dementia, you are probably already looking for ways to maintain that person’s quality of life. Our Personal Trainer for the Mind cognitive coaching program extends beyond rote memorization tasks or doing the same games repeatedly. The program is based on research findings that validate the impact of regularly challenging people with novel content to help them maintain and even possibly improve their cognitive ability.

Countless studies suggest, in addition to maintaining cognitive function, this type of stimulation may help reduce the risk of developing dementia. Research also suggests that cognitive coaching may stabilize and possibly even improve the cognitive function of people with Alzheimer’s disease.

Benefits of the Personal Trainer for the Mind

When your loved one works with a certified Fit Minds coach, he or she receives:

• Cognitive coaching exercises customized to his or her current abilities

• A meaningful, positive relationship between the loved one and his or her coach

The benefits of cognitive coaching can be significant for both the Fit Minds client and family members. The client benefits from regular cognitive stimulation, which research suggests will help him or her stay mentally sharp and engaged. The client also benefits from a supportive relationship with an educated coach capable of engaging him or her intellectually. The combination of mental stimulation and meaningful engagement cannot only impact cognitive function, but can help improve quality of life for people diagnosed with dementia.  Finally, family members receive monthly reporting and feedback about the senior’s cognitive functioning and engagement.

Fit Minds life changing mental stimulation not only impacts the senior’s life, but also the family members. Sons and daughters, and spouses and siblings who give this program to someone they love are rewarded with the knowledge that they’re helping their loved one stay as cognitively engaged as possible — addressing both their loved one’s dementia and quality of life. Our unique offerings are designed to support and help people with a wide range of cognitive abilities — from independent seniors to those with mild, moderate or advanced dementia. It lets you take a loving approach to dementia care.

As research continues to validate the efficacy of brain training for dementia Touching Hearts Senior Care remains confident we will fulfill our mission of improving quality of life, enabling meaningful relationships with family and friends, and building cognitive resilience for seniors with our Fit Minds coaching.

Why Choose Fit Minds?

Want to know more about quality of life and dementia? Are you looking to support a friend or family member who is aging or has a diagnosis of dementia? Touching Hearts Senior Care understands the unique cognitive challenges seniors face and our programs are designed with the latest research in mind. Our clients typically maintain and even improve their cognitive abilities, regardless of their diagnoses. We look forward to reaching more and more seniors, helping them achieve fitter, healthier minds and happier, more satisfying lives.

Contact us today to learn more about cognitive coaching and how our program can help your loved one stay mentally sharp.

                                         Touching Hearts Senior Care

                                        3263 Demetropolis Rd., Ste. 10

                                                 Mobile, Al 36693

                                                    251-445-4204

Why Choose Fit Minds?

Touching Hearts Senior Care has a vision to give unprecedented support to seniors to be all they can be. We provide group and individual customized cognitive stimulation therapy to improve quality of life and enable meaningful relationships with family and friends.

We offer cognitive coaches and support to independent seniors and to those challenged with Alzheimer’s and other types of mild, moderate and advanced dementia. Fit Minds exercises five key areas of cognition.

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At a time when people are living longer, one in three seniors now dies of Alzheimer’s. Forty percent of seniors over the age of 80 have “textbook” dementia. Families are struggling to find solutions to preserve quality of life for their loved one, and volumes of research validates the positive impact of cognitive stimulation.

If you’re a program director looking for activities for healthy seniors or seniors with dementia , or if you want to help a loved one stay as mentally sharp as she or he can be, contact us today to learn more about Fit Minds’ unique approach and program

Fit Minds Exercises

FIVE KEY AREAS OF COGNITION

When it comes to aging, it’s no longer about simply living longer. We want to live happier and healthier as well. In other words, we want to live better. A physically strong, adaptable body is an essential aspect of health, but mental sharpness and flexibility matter, too. Is it possible to maintain that mental acuity as you get older? And can you reduce your risk of developing dementia or Alzheimer’s disease by engaging your brain?

The short answer appears to be yes. A growing body of research indicates that mental stimulation can help maintain and possibly improve cognitive ability as people age. Other studies suggest that cognitive stimulation therapy not only can help maintain mental sharpness and acuity, but also may reduce the risk of developing dementia. This kind of “brain work” may help stabilize the cognitive function of people with mild Alzheimer’s disease, according to research. 

As the link between cognitive stimulation therapy and dementia continues to be explored, we will learn more about how keeping the brain engaged helps reduce the risk of cognitive decline. If you work in a senior living community, you may already appreciate the importance of maintaining cognitive function as people age. Maybe you’re looking for unique activities for someone with Alzheimer’s or you want to provide high-quality engaging mental stimulation to your residents. Or maybe you just want to make sure you’re doing what you can to help your mom, dad or other relative maintain as much brain function as possible as he or she gets older ages.

That’s what we offer at Touching Hearts Senior Care. Our programs are geared to individuals who live independently, as well as those who reside in senior living communities. Our programs provide mental stimulation to seniors of all cognitive abilities, including those with dementia and mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease. When it comes to brain health, it appears that the “move it or lose it” theory holds true. For example, there is a meaningful decrease in cognitive performance that comes with retirement.  
Research suggests this is because when we stop engaging in cognitively complex tasks, we lose synaptic connections in our brain. As we get older, the connections that are not used are deleted in something researchers call “synaptic pruning.”

Fit Minds fills the gap with individual and group programs that target five key areas of cognition:

• Language and Music
• Visual/Spatial Orientation
• Memory
• Critical Thinking 
• Computation

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  • TOUCHING HEARTS SENIOR CARE PROVIDES:
  • Group and One on One Sessions
  • Personal Trainer for the mind
  • Cognitive exercises customized to Seniors level of cognition
  • Monthly reporting and feedback on Seniors cognitive abilities
  • Meaningful relationships with clients and family members

  • Fit Minds Fee: $50.00 per 50 minute sessions/additional fees may apply

  
  
  

  
  

  
  

    

  CONTACT US TODAY!

                             

  Touching Hearts Senior Care
  3263 Demetropolis Rd. 
  Mobile, AL 36693
  251-445-4204