The Significance Of A Snoezelen Room In A Memory Care Facility

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The devastating effects of Alzheimer's and dementia are currently irreversible; however, there are medications that may help slow down the effects these diseases can have on the brain. If your parent is suffering from one of these diseases and can no longer live at home alone or with you, now might be a good time to look for a nursing home with a memory care unit. Memory care is designed specifically for treating people with these diseases, and some even have a special area, known as a Snoezelen room, which can be very beneficial for people with dementia or Alzheimer's.

What Is A Snoezelen room?

A Snoezelen room is often referred to as a sensory room, because the room is designed to invigorate and stimulate a person's senses. The idea of these rooms was developed in the 1970s by Dutch therapists. The purpose was to help improve the lives of people who struggled with sensory processing disorders, and Alzheimer's and dementia both fit into this category. Snoezelen rooms are often placed in nursing homes, schools, and hospitals, and they can be extremely motivating for people with a variety of different issues.

What Do Snoezelen Rooms Contain?

A Snoezelen room is designed in a way that stimulates most of the senses people have including touch, smell, hearing, and sight. The philosophy behind this is that if a person's senses are stirred, it may help improve their brain operations, and it could also trigger the part of the brain that is responsible for moods. The result of this can be intrigue, interest, joy, and excitement. To achieve this, a Snoezelen room will contain a variety of items all designed for the senses. Here are some of the ways this is done for the senses:

  • Touch – A Snoezelen room may contain a variety of different types of materials the residents can easily touch while they are there. There might be carpeted walls or walls with rough spots on them. There might also be a variety of different objects setting on the tables or couches that the residents can pick up and feel. Each object may have a different feel to it, and the residents might find a lot of enjoyment while handling these items.
  • Smell – The sense of smell can also be used in a room like this, and this may occur through the use of essential oils being placed in the rooms. The goal is to try to create a relaxing atmosphere in this room, which means the scents should be calming and interesting.
  • Hearing – A Snoezelen room may also have a sound system that plays a variety of different types of music that might stimulate a person's mind. Classical music is one option that is commonly used. In addition, there might also be objects in the room that make sounds when the residents pick them up or move them.
  • Sight – Finally, the room should contain things to look at. This might be colorful paintings on the wall, or it could involve a projector that displays a variety of images onto a screen.

Every Snoezelen room will vary in size and contents, but they are all designed to offer the same benefits.

What Are The Benefits Of This?

When people with Alzheimer's spend time in Snoezelen rooms, they may experience a variety of benefits. This can include an improvement in their moods. They may feel happier after being in a Snoezelen room for a while. This factor often makes it easier for the caregivers to communicate with the residents. There are other additional benefits too that residents can experience through Snoezelen rooms.

If you are interested in finding a good memory care facility for your parent, start looking today. You can learn more by contacting a nursing home in your area today.

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27 September 2016

Helping Your Parent Adjust to Assisted Living

My husband and I recently moved his mother to an assisted living facility. My name is Audrey Martin, and I am going to share our experience with you. My mother-in-law is eighty-two years old. She has been living on her own for twelve years since her husband passed away. My husband, David, is her only child. That left us in charge of making this decision for her since she has declined to the point of not being able to make sound decisions on her own. I’m not going to tell you that it’s been easy, but I will say that it can be done. I hope that what I’m about to share proves to be helpful to you should the time come that you are the one moving a loved one to an assisted living facility. Thanks for stopping by!