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Sensory therapy for dementia sufferers
A MULTI-sensory room has been designed to provide a relaxing environment for people with dementia.
The 'snoezelen' room has been introduced to a dementia ward at The Mount, in Leeds, by Leeds Partnerships NHS Foundation Trust.
It uses light, colour, sound, music and scent to stimulate various senses, and also provides a place for relaxation and tranquillity.
The room at The Mount will serve dual purposes – as a quiet area with minimal staff input, and as a therapy room with sessions led by staff who have experience in multi-sensory techniques.
Originally developed in the Netherlands in the 1970s, snoezelen rooms have been used for many years in a range of mental health settings, including dementia care.
They can be used to calm or stimulate people, depending on the need of the individual.
The room includes a number of features, such as:
Curtains, throws and cushions in neutral colours which are soft to touch.
Fairy lights in soft colours.
Fibre optic items, such as lamps.
A basket of textured objects to explore.
A compact disc player with gentle classical music.
David Yates, a patient at the trust, said: "The new room is really relaxing and it gives me space to be able to reflect and think about things. It is nice to be able to come away from the ward and have time on your own sometimes.
"I only wish that the room was here when I first came into hospital. I think a lot of other people will benefit from having this resource available."
An occupational therapist at the Mount, Alicia Short, added: "We can see this as a starting point for the team to increase our knowledge and skills in the use of multi-sensory therapy."
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