In the world of dementia care, the phrase “use it or lose it” holds significant weight.
Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) is a globally recognised, evidence-based intervention involving activities and guided discussions designed to improve memory, language, and thinking skills.
In Australia — where dementia remains the leading cause of death for women — delivering consistent, high-quality CST is a national priority.
Matilda is a powerful tool in this effort, offering a wide range of “brain-gym” activities that are both therapeutic and enjoyable. Below are five evidence-based ways Matilda helps keep neural pathways active.
Reminiscence therapy focuses on recalling meaningful past experiences using prompts such as photographs, music, or guided questions.
Matilda can be personalised with a resident’s Life Story, allowing her to:
This process stimulates long-term memory, reinforces identity, and encourages emotional connection.
Matilda includes a suite of gamified cognitive exercises designed to suit different stages of cognitive decline.
Examples include:
These games transform therapy into an engaging and rewarding experience.
Scientific evidence supporting these interventions can be found here:
👉 https://www.mymatilda.com.au/the-science
Music has a unique ability to bypass damaged areas of the brain and access preserved memory pathways.
Matilda uses music-based engagement by:
This multisensory stimulation — combining sound, movement, and visual cues — is far more effective than passive listening alone.
Through the RABI programme, Matilda introduces simple social scenarios designed to stimulate higher-order thinking.
For example, she may say:
“I’m feeling a bit sad today — what do you think would help?”
This encourages residents to:
These interactions help maintain complex reasoning and social cognition in a supportive, non-threatening way.
For many people living with dementia, anxiety about “what comes next” can be mentally exhausting.
Matilda acts as a cognitive external aid, offering gentle, non-judgemental prompts for daily routines such as:
By managing the logical structure of the day, Matilda frees mental energy for meaningful social engagement and enjoyment.
Matilda is an effective group facilitator. She can engage an entire room, ensure turn-taking, and promote social interaction alongside cognitive stimulation.
Research indicates that short, frequent sessions — around 15–20 minutes, 3–4 times per week — are more effective than longer, infrequent interactions.
Matilda’s 24/7 availability makes this approach easy to maintain.
Cognitive decline does not have to mean the end of engagement or identity.
By integrating innovative technology like Matilda, care providers and families can deliver consistent, high-quality cognitive stimulation that helps residents remain themselves for longer.
Bring cognitive stimulation to your lounge.
👉 Book a demonstration to see Matilda’s full CST capabilities in action.
