Dementia Treatment Toronto

Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) reduces symptoms of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and early to mid-stage dementia. We come to you in Toronto, to your own home, to a retirement home or day program, to provide engaging sessions that exercise the mind.

We serve Toronto, in-person or virtually, so that you can receive the benefits of Cognitive Stimulation Therapy in the comfort of your own home, retirement home, or day program.

What is Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST)?

Used in over 30 countries, cognitive stimulation therapy is a scientifically proven conversation-based dementia treatment that exercises the mind and improves cognition, memory, language skills, confidence, and quality of life.

Our program runs for 7 weeks, and we’ll meet 2x per week for about an hour (14 sessions in all). At each session, a forBetterMinds Coach will guide you through conversations to help you generate thoughts and opinions on the material and activities we prepare for you.

We guide the conversation so that there’s no right or wrong answers, and there’s no testing whatsoever. Your mind will be exercised and it will help strengthen neural connections in the brain.

It’s delivered as a one-on-one or group dementia treatment where a facilitator leads activities that stimulate thinking.

Sessions are based on fundamental principles which include:

mental stimulation,
encouraging new ideas, thoughts, and associations,
orientation to time and place,
a focus on opinions rather than facts, and
letting learning and remembering happen naturally.

What are the Benefits of Cognitive Stimulation Therapy?

Cognitive Stimulation Therapy is a scientifically-proven dementia treatment that has been shown to improve areas of memory, language, and quality of life. In particular, improvements have been seen in:

Awareness of time and place

Following instructions

Verbal recall

Auditory comprehension (the person’s ability to understand speech)

Quality of speech (clarity and ability to make oneself understood)

After completing cognitive stimulation therapy, people have rated their quality of life higher, and their carers have rated their own quality of life enhanced¹. CST research has also shown a reduction in depression and anxiety for its participants.

CST has been shown to be more effective at improving cognition than common dementia medications (Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEI)). However, when combined, synergy between CST and pharmaceuticals has shown a pronounced improvement².

Cognitive stimulation therapy: Who is it for?

Largest benefits have been seen with people early in dementia, including those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Significant benefits can still be achieved in the moderate stage provided the person can conduct a responsive conversation. It is best that you or your loved one:

Can tolerate 1 hour of sitting,
have no significant hearing or visual impairment that would impact engagement,
have adequate English to engage in conversation, and
have the motivation and desire to participate (very important)

A brief assessment during intake will allow us to determine if you or a loved one are a good candidate for the therapy.

Researched and trialled for over 20 years,

Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) has been proven to enhance quality of life, thinking ability, and memory.

Recommendations for CST

Cognitive Stimulation Therapy is currently the only non-drug treatment recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for mild to moderate dementia.

The fifth Canadian Consensus Conferences on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Dementia (CCCDTD, 2019) recommended CST for people with mild to moderate dementia.

2011 World Alzheimer’s Report recommended CST be routinely offered to individuals with mild to moderate dementia.

Recommendations for CST

Cognitive Stimulation Therapy is currently the only non-drug treatment recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for mild to moderate dementia.

The fifth Canadian Consensus Conferences on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Dementia (CCCDTD, 2019) recommended CST for people with mild to moderate dementia.

2011 World Alzheimer’s Report recommended CST be routinely offered to individuals with mild to moderate dementia.

How does forBetterMinds deliver CST?

We bring CST to you, in the comfort of your home, in a group or one-on-one individual (iCST) format. A forBetterMinds Coach will visit you and bring all that is needed for an engaging stimulating session.

CST takes the form of 14 sessions, twice per week for 7 weeks. The sessions are enjoyable and engaging. Each session has its own theme, ranging from music, current affairs, and food. Maintenance cognitive stimulation therapy or mCST can also be enjoyed after the original sessions.

What have our clients said?

"My mother looks forward to each session. I notice a difference in her afterward."

— B. Noel

"Mrs. B is always brighter after her sessions with you. She is more engaged for the rest of the day."

— Catrina, Caregiver

"This was so pleasant and enjoyable. I feel great and look forward to my next appointment!"

— JDB

How do I get started?

Fill in our contact form, and we will get back to you within 1 business day.

Our initial program is 14 sessions (7 weeks, 2 sessions per week). To make it easy for you to try it out, we currently offer an introductory session. The introductory session will be applied to the full program if you wish to continue.