Chat, Stories & Tea is a healthy ageing program run exclusively by Whiddon for people with memory challenges, dementia or short-term memory loss.
Chat, Stories & Tea is a social, group based therapy based on Cognitive Stimulation Therapy. It has proven to improve cognitive function and mood, increase self-confidence and self-esteem around communication and social interaction.
Resident’s are able to use this program as therapy and not only connect with each other but also their carers too. A key message we follow here at Whiddon is, providing exceptional care to older people. With our Chat, Stories & Tea program we’re able to meet resident’s care needs through social therapy and provide support to those who suffer with dementia.
As a therapy, Chat, Stories & Tea has proven as effective as dementia medication at delaying or stabilising cognitive decline.
It’s a failure-free therapy and there are no wrong answers – Chat, Stories & Tea is based on imagination, not fact!
Participants are part of a fun and supportive environment where everyone builds confidence through socialising with others
Supports wellbeing and improved quality of life by increasing confidence and self-esteem
Supports everyone to build social connections and reduce loneliness through regular participation and social contact
Lead by staff, these activities and weekly meetings are dementia friendly, making the program inclusive and safe for everyone to join
The program is used as therapy for resident’s as they can bond over memories from their life experience
It allows carers to engage on a personal level with the residents they care for and learn more about their life, family and interests
The multi sensory stimulus and different themes within the program enhances the cognitive health of residents and improves with their everyday aged care activities
The weekly sensory activities support residents who suffer dementia as they work as memory exercises in a social, less formal setting
There’s great activities for dementia residents in aged care to use their imagination and share stories
There’s something for everyone – conversation and group activities draw on opinions, creative expression and life experience. The variety of themes ranging from travel, history, celebrities, gardening, music, food through to art and crafts activities.
Chat, Stories & Tea is run as a structured social group program at Whiddon. Each group has up to 8 participants and the program runs for four months at a time.
The groups are structured and involve conversation and interaction around many different themes and multi sensory stimulus. They offer a regular, enjoyable and supportive social environment with purposeful engagement between all group members.
Residents are highly engaged with the program and enjoy being able to engage weekly with new and exciting themes to chat about with a cuppa!
Chat, Stories & Tea groups are run by specially trained employees, in a fun and supportive environment. The groups allow various activities for dementia residents in aged care to be formed.
By having Whiddon employees run this program, it allows caring for resident’s to be more personal through getting to know them better. The program is completely relationship based care with residents from the group being able to propose fun activities they would like to do in the future.
Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) is a revolutionary, non-medication based program based on regular and structured social groups that is proving to be as effective as medication in slowing and stabilising cognitive decline. In addition to its success as a drug-free approach, CST has significant secondary benefits, resulting in a positive effect on participants’ quality of life, wellbeing, communication, self-confidence and social interaction.
CST runs as a structured social group based program for individuals with mild to moderate dementia. The program runs over several months, where participants are actively engaged through different themes, stimulus and sensory materials.
Whiddon’s Chat, Stories & Tea is founded on Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST), which was developed in the UK by Professor Martin Orrell and Dr Aimee Spector. CST is widely used in aged care services in the UK and many other countries. After trialling the program back in 2016, Whiddon saw promising results of the health benefits that were seen in residents who participated, especially those who suffer from dementia. It has since been implemented across many Whiddon care homes as another innovative measure to provide exceptional care to residents. We’ve seen some very positive results come out as a result of these activities for dementia residents in aged care.
With around 70% of people receiving aged care services having some level of dementia, Whiddon are proactive in seeking new and innovative ways to improve the wellbeing of people living with care needs. The Chat, Stories & Tea program is another one of Whiddon’s great initiatives to enhance the lives of older people.
