This presentation will share how cognitive stimulation therapy enhances residents’ cognition and psychological well being in New Zealand (NZ) care homes. Depression and loneliness among people living in a residential care is a significant issue. Current treatment approach is mostly through anti depressant medication. Overtime, people are overcome by what we call the ‘wilting flower syndrome’. Cognitive stimulation is defined as “engagement in a range of activities and discussions aimed at general enhancement of cognitive and social functioning”. It is different from cognitive rehabilitation and cognitive training. We adapted and implemented a CST version that works in a hospital care setting. Dementia hasn't stop senior residents from learning new things on weekly basis. An adapted CST program was introduced to hospital care level residents challenging the 2014 New Zealand research, which specified that the individuals participating shouldn’t be of hospital level care. The achieved and positive outcomes are beyond and above what we expected. The delivery of CST has reversed the ‘wilding flower syndrome’ with its ‘switch on effect’. Participants have developed a huge sense of fellowship, belonging and ownership. The residents are now retaining information from previous sessions, like names, songs or specific details from previous discussions, they know each other by names and are fully aware if someone is absent and will demand for us to wait until the last resident arrives. The topics are stimulating and thought provoking and the residents have grown in confidence as time has progressed. They feel free to express their strong opinions, which have resulted in a lively conversation sprinkled with humor at times. They have become a small family, whose ideas are respected and appreciate it, and this innovative approach has truly enhanced and had a positive impact in their quality of their lives.

Learning Outcomes

1. Describe what Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) is
2. Identify 3 benefits of CST for senior adults
3. Explain outcomes of CST for senior adults in New Zealand