1. Multi-Sensory Room/ Cart (Aka Snoezelen Rooms)
Therapeutic Recreation Department
Blue Crest Nursing Home and
U.S. Memorial Health Center
Kaitlyn Campbell-Merriam: Therapeutic Recreation Student.

2. What is a multi-sensory room?
A dedicated space or room for relaxation and/or work where stimulation can be controlled, manipulated, intensified, reduced, presented in isolation or combination, packaged for active or passive interaction, and temporally matched to fit the perceived motivation, interests, leisure, relaxation, therapeutic and/or educational needs of the user.  (

3. Purpose
To provide patient’s (pt’s) with a multisensory environment while being stimulated using the five senses. Using a patient centered approach this room will serve the Alzheimer's and Dementia Pt’s within USMHC.

4. Target Population Seniors Dementia Pt’s Alzheimer's Pt’s
Those with behavioral issues
For mild, medium and severely cognitively impaired Pt’s

5. Benefits Cognitive stimulation
Increase in communication, positive moods and behaviours
Relief for caregivers/ respite
Patient has choice
Allows for free association
Maximizes stimulation and pleasure for patient
Increased quality of life
Self directed by patient
Self healing
Can help prevent negative behaviours
Reminiscence

6. Goals To provide meaningful therapeutic interventions for Pt
To prevent or decrease negative behaviors among target population
To use multi sensory stimulating activities with Pt’s at 2x per week
To allow for free association of activities.
To increase verbal and non-verbal communication.
To reduce stress on caregiver.
To decrease the negative effects of Illness on Pt.

7. Expected Outcomes Pt’s being self directed Pt’s improved behaviors
Increase in cognition.
Specific to the Pt involved in intervention.

8. Selecting appropriate participants
Initial Assessments
Referrals from interdisciplinary team
Family
Current functioning levels
Daily behavior patterns.
Stage of illness

9. Procedure Train staff on use of room and equipment Assess Pts
Select appropriate Pts
Introduce them to the room
Continue to provide Multi Sensory Interventions to Clients weekly

10. Equipment Required Bubble Lamps or lava lamps
Fiber optic or plastic light strings
Coloured lights
Patterned lights
Black Light
Mirror Ball
Clamming music
Mirrors
Textures (on wall and floor and fabric)
Balls
Pictures
Interactive panels- Lights, music, sounds, Pictures, Etc

11. Equipment Continued
Seating- Bean Bags, Rocking Chairs, Big pillows. Things to put on Wheelchairs.
Aquarium
Instruments- Rain stick, shakers Etc.
Massage or vibration items.
Sensory Mats or quilts
Tactile- Gel mats/ balls, Bean Bags, Boards or panels
A Projector
A Stereo
Power Bar
Assorted Batteries

12. Room Design Accessible! Occupancy allowance (max #)
Age considerations Child vs Senior.

13. Safety/ Supervision Trained staff (Training provided)
PT’s Never left unsupervised
Use of appropriate equipment.
Ensure equipment is functioning properly inspected by maintenance department.
Appropriate participant selection.

14. Budget/ Costs Quote from Flag House Sept 2006
$9,452.43
Budget and cost at this time unknown…more research to be done.
Estimated cost = $500.00

15. Leisure Ability Model Based on Client or Pt’s needs
Functional Intervention:
Directed or controlled interventions by TR specialist
Improve functional ability
Leisure Education:
Combination of TR and PT initiated participation.
Used to acquire leisure knowledge and skills
Recreation Participation:
Participant directed activities with TR facilitation
Participant is engaging in organized opportunities voluntarily.
(Stumbo & Peterson, 2004)

16. Evaluation
Observations by Therapeutic Recreation Staff and other interprofessional team members.
Reassess pt’s
Surveys
Evaluation Forms

17. Documentation Monitor residents responses and progress
Keep attendance lists
Any significant changes
Referrals
Cognitive, physical, emotional, social, and spiritual changes.
Evaluation Forms/ Surveys

18. Resources Flaghouse.ca easternhealth.ca
Study done at

19. References
Stumbo, N.J.& Peterson, C.A. (2004) Therapeutic Recreation program design (4th ed.) Pearson, San Francisco, CA.
Jane Johnston Foundation,(2009). Retrieved May 17,2013 from