South African Psychiatry - February 2019

UPDATE
Corlia Schutte, occupational therapist at the
Livewell Village in Bryanston, says that it is essential
in dementia care to ensure that the person is
adequately stimulated according to their individual
and constantly evolving needs, but at the same time
they should not feel overwhelmed by an overload of
sensory information.
“THE SENSORY ROOM IS PROVING
POPULAR FOR THOSE RESIDENTS WHO
REQUIRE A PEACEFUL RETREAT AFTER AN
EXCITING DAY OF ACTIVITIES, OR WHO
ENJOY A RICH SENSORY EXPERIENCE
THAT PLEASANTLY STIMULATES THEM. IT
IS ALSO MOST USEFUL IN THOSE CASES
WHERE THE INDIVIDUAL MAY FEEL
FRETFUL AND DISORIENTATED, WHICH
QUITE COMMONLY OCCURS IN PEOPLE
WITH DEMENTIA.”
She says the team meticulously records which
aspects of the room a particular person with
dementia engages with, and what affects this has
on their mood and behaviour. “This is enabling us
to build up a very useful record that helps us to
enhance the room and the experience it creates for
our residents.
WE CAN ALSO USE THIS INFORMATION TO
TAILOR AND ADAPT THE ENVIRONMENT
TO SUIT THE INDIVIDUAL’S MOOD AND
PREFERENCES AT A PARTICULAR TIME.”
The muted lighting in the room is accented with
softly glowing coloured lights, and a soundtrack of
melodious classical music incorporating natural
sounds of birdsong, ocean waves and running water
create a sense of serenity in the room. A soothing
scent of lavender aromatherapy oil permeates the
air – an aroma that is known for its relaxing qualities
for many people, according to Schutte.
Drapery on the ceiling creates the feeling of a
sheltered, cosy womb-like environment, which is also
aesthetically pleasing, while comfortable antique
rocking chairs and ottomans, textiles of various
textures and cool, pale blue green painted walls
are familiar and evocative of peace and safety.
She notes that the sensation of gently rocking in
a rocking chair is particularly comforting for some
people with advanced dementia.
An array of old-fashioned toys, weighted cuddly toys
and dolls are available in the room for people to
hold. “The sensation of cradling a weighted doll is
especially comforting for many of our residents and
we have noted that it often serves to reduce feelings
of agitation or stress. It is believed that certain people
with dementia are drawn to such items because
they replicate similar feelings to that of a parent
caring for a baby.
“Some of our residents are moved to caress and
hum to a doll as a mother will comfort her infant, and
this can be a welcome distraction if the person has
become upset, as it replaces this emotion with more
positive feelings of love and protective, nurturing
instincts,” observes Schutte.
“IN DIFFERENT MOODS, THE SAME
RESIDENT MAY FIND DIFFERENT ASPECTS
OF THE EXPERIENCE OF THE SENSORY
ROOM ENTICING. A CERTAIN RESIDENT
MAY BE FEELING LOW ONE DAY, AND WE
BRING THEM TO THE SENSORY ROOM
AND NOTICE THAT THEY CONCENTRATE
DEEPLY ON THE MUSIC, BECOME MORE
SUBDUED, AND LATER APPEAR TO BE
MORE UPLIFTED AFTER SPENDING TIME
THERE. IN ANOTHER MOOD, THE SAME
RESIDENT MAY STROKE THE SOFT FABRICS
AND HANDLE THE TOYS, AND BE LULLED
INTO A CALMER MOOD.”
She says that at other times, the Livewell team may
find the person is not inclined to spend time in the
room and may prefer to rather be out and about
in the garden watching the birds or picking flowers,
and this is also encouraged.
“While people with dementia may not always be
able to express what they feel like doing, we are so
sensitive to their non-verbal cues that we can usually
tell whether they are in the mood for a particular
activity or environment at a given time, and can
make adjustments for their comfort accordingly.”
“The Sensory Room at Livewell Villages in Bryanston
is proving to be an invaluable tool that is not only
assisting in providing residents with appropriate
levels of stimulation, but is also helping many to deal
with their feelings of agitation and promoting an
improved sense of wellbeing. While these benefits
may seem somewhat intangible, we as carers can
observe the very real difference this facility is making
to the lives of many of our residents,” concludes
Schutte.
For more information about the Livewell Villages and the
services available, please visit: https://livewell.care/
Issued by Martina Nicholson Associates (MNA) on behalf of Livewell Villages Correspondence:martina@mnapr.co.za
46 * SOUTH AFRICAN PSYCHIATRY ISSUE 18 2019