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The Palace Renaissance, the memory care neighborhood at The Palace Kendall campus, recently debuted a new multi-sensory environment geared for residents with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and sensory processing needs.
“We found the multi-sensory rooms included at The Palace Gardens Homestead and in the memory care neighborhood in The Palace at Weston have been very well received,” said Executive Director Ricardo Martinez. “Residents have responded to its use positively, and it offers a wonderful opportunity for caregiver interaction. We wanted to add this environment to The Palace Renaissance to complement the community’s daily programming.”
A multi-sensory room is used to promote relaxation, engagement and emotional well-being. The room features activity stations designed to stimulate the senses and support the cognitive and emotional needs of residents, according to Activity Director Maggie Miranda. Walls covered from floor to ceiling in soft fabric create a cocoon-like atmosphere, enhanced by soothing furnishings and dimmed lighting.
Miranda plans to include activities that caregivers can use with residents such as:
• Aromatherapy sessions with calming essential oils like lavender and citrus for relaxation,
• Soft music and sound therapy using gentle instrumental tracks to soothe anxiety,
• Textured exploration tables with different fabrics, sand, and tactile items to stimulate touch,
• Fiber optic light displays and bubble tubes to promote visual focus and calmness,
• Hand massage therapy with warm towels and lotion for sensory stimulation and comfort,
• Interactive memory boxes personalized with photos and objects from each resident’s past,
• Guided meditation or breathing exercises to reduce stress and improve mood.
Multi-sensory environments were developed by two Dutch psychologists, Jan Hulsegge and Ad Verheul, in the late 1970s in the Netherlands, where they were known as Snoezelen rooms. They can be used in a variety of settings and have been found to successfully increase the comfort level with memory care residents, providing sensory stimulation.
According to Miranda, the room will be an important part of daily programming. People with dementia are susceptible to sundowning and have increased confusion, agitation and anxiety in the late afternoon or early evening. By spending time with their caregiver in the multi-sensory environment, their quality of life can be improved. Time spent can also help reduce anxiety, restlessness, confusion, stress and challenging behaviors. The length of time is geared to the resident and is either one-on-one with a caregiver or can be used with small groups.
About The Palace Renaissance
Located at 11355 S.W. 84th Street in Miami, The Palace Renaissance is part of a continuum of care offered at The Palace Kendall campus that also includes independent and catered living as well as skilled nursing and rehabilitation. To learn more about The Palace Renaissance and tour the multi-sensory room, please call 305-270-2220 or visit www.ThePalace.org.
