On Jan. 17, Betel Home in Gimli inaugurated a new ‘Multi-Sensory Environment’ (MSE) room that will be used to enhance the sensory stimulation of its residents in a peaceful, relaxing environment.
“We initially observed the concept about 18 months ago at a workshop presented by Recreation Connections, and in just over a year, we were able to build our own MSE thanks to the Westshore Community Foundation, which gave us a grant of $3,800 to purchase the equipment,” said Connie Snider, Recreation Coordinator at Betel Home in Gimli.
MSEs have been in existence since the 1970s, having originated in Europe. The first sensory rooms were called SNOEZELEN (pronounced SNOOZ-eh-len), derived from the Dutch words for explore, sniff around and doze. The Snoezelen concept is still in existence and has been used to offer a relaxing atmosphere while stimulating vestibular, proprioception, tactile, visual, auditory and olfactory senses.
Betel Home is hoping that this new facility, which is based on this original concept, will benefit its full-time residents (there are presently 79), of which approximately half suffer from either a mild or more progressive form of dementia.
“Our new room is located on the second floor, and at first it will be supervised by members of our recreation staff, who will begin to perform one on one assessments with our residents. They will use observation checklists to develop an individual multi-sensory program or plan,” Snider said.
The equipment in the new MSE includes, among other sensory stimuli, bubble tubes, visual-fibre optic lamps, vestibular rocking chairs, as well as lotions and essentials oils (olfactory aids). Snider said some of these can also be brought to the rooms of residents who are unable to go to the room becuaseof various physical disabilities.
Following an initial assessment, other staff members will be trained to monitor the activity in the MSE, as well as family members of the residents.
“Family members are important because they are familiar to people who suffer from dementia, and they also know what their personal interests are,” Snider added.
The focus on past experiences and interests, which are crucial in the treatment of dementia, will also enable Betel to provide a client-centered program using the MSE.
“This way, we will be able to determine what particular sense or sensation will succeed in drawing out a particular resident, whether it be a specific auditory, tactile or visual aid.”
Multi-sensory environments are thus intended to provide structured physical environments that have been proven to provide beneficial cognitive effects. As such, these rooms have both therapeutic and recreational value to treat people who suffer from intellectual disabilities, dementia, or various other afflictions.
“The whole idea of such a room is to provide a better quality of life to our residents, and we think that this new facility will certainly contribute to that goal at Betel Home,” Snider concluded.
As printed in the Interlake Spectator- with files from Betel Home Foundation