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A multi-purpose sensory room is an environment created to stimulate all of the senses while providing a soothing experience for the residents. These rooms can be used for multiple therapy opportunities including aroma and touch therapies. Because the rooms are designed to be virtually “failure free” residents with limited abilities are able to be more interactive and enjoy the activities in the room without requiring set outcomes. With a plethora of sensory items the staff will be able to gage which stimulus each individual resident enjoys most. Many long term care facilities have seen an increasing population of residents whom suffer from dementia and or other disabilities. Multi-purpose sensory rooms and related programs are desperately needed within long term care facilities in order to help engage the minds of these residents. However, very few facilities in the U.S. have such programs available. “I feel the sensory room is very important, especially for our residents with advanced dementia. They often withdraw within themselves and have very little response to outside stimuli. However, with repeated sensory visits there is a good chance you can stir a hidden memory and for a few minutes it will bring back memories of a happier time,” said Barb Rundall, Activity Director at Four Season’s Living Center. “So far, the residents really seem to be enjoying the sensory visits. Staff has also reported that the olfactory stimulation has brought back memories and the resident will talk with the staff member about the memory. The sensory program has created excellent one on one interaction!” While the sensory room will be used for those with memory loss, all residents will benefit from the new environment. Residents may choose to spend time in the sensory room for listening to music, watching relaxation videos, or playing their favorite Nintendo Wii game. Families visiting with young children and grandchildren can also enjoy their time at the Four Season’s Living Center interacting with their loved one in the fun environment. The new sensory room will include vibrating and massaging furniture, bubble tubes with alternating light patterns, fiber optic lights, waterfalls, plants, relaxation DVDs and audio CDs, and aromas for therapeutic use. There will also be many fun sensory items available to manipulate and explore. For more information about the Four Season’s Living Center visit the hospital website at www.morrisonhospital.com |
