St Modan’s care home in Fraserburgh created a sensational sensory space for residents to enjoy. The room provides a soothing environment for individuals living with a wide range of conditions, including brain injury and many types of dementia.
In April 2023, the St Modan’s team began the project by researching the use and design of sensory rooms. They worked on personalised plans to meet people’s individual needs and raised funds with the support of the local community through initiatives like assault courses, summer fetes, quiz nights and a Halloween party.
Julie-Anne Thomson, care home manager, said: “Setting up new approaches to care has challenges - moving away from medical intervention and gaining the buy in from colleagues and relatives was a challenge initially.”
Once they had raised enough money, the project became a reality in April 2024. The team purchased equipment and designed the room with the individuals in mind. It included a variety of lights, sounds, movement and textures.
The team developed care plans and risk assessments for each resident who would use the room. These detailed the equipment each resident would like to access, how to move and position the residents, which lighting and sounds should be used, and the length of time suitable for the best therapeutic value and optimum individualised support. Personal preferences of individuals highlighted the benefits for their time in the room to support relaxation and often sleep. They also produced a user guide and provided training for staff and relatives to support 24/7 access to the room.
Since introducing the sensory room, staff have seen increased engagement, particularly for residents who generally prefer their own company or become agitated by others around them. Interaction between residents and team members has increased, stress and distress symptoms have reduced on most occasions, and in some instances, there has been a reduction in the use of anti-psychotic medication. Resident and family engagement has also increased, particularly with their grandchildren. It has reduced the fear factor and stigma for younger visitors into the service with one younger visitor said that he enjoys visiting grandma and the “super cool room”.
One resident said: “It’s affa bonny and I am feeling very relaxed”. Another added: “It’s the most magical room, very relaxing and makes you feel miles away from the busy home. I enjoy having my music on and watching all the lights change colours”.
One relative said: “Mum can have fluctuations in her mood at times and during these instances the sensory room enables her to have a calm quiet environment to engage in”. Another added: “I really enjoy being in the room and spending time with my dad. My son loves having a room to engage with grandad. They love watching the bubble tube and changing the different colours of the lights. I enjoy watching them have lots of fun together. My dad loves watching his grandson explore with all the sensory tools”.
The above information is from Care News from the Care Inspectorate Newsletter Wed 28/08/2024