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.

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.  (http://www.janesroom.org/multisensory.html)

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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)

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

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

Resources Flaghouse.ca easternhealth.ca http://www.recreativeresources.com/documents/MultiSensoryEnvironments_000.pdf Study done at http://www.snoezelen-idosos.com/login/upload/files/macharia.pdf

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 http://www.janesroom.org/multisensory.html