[Sensory stimulation: new apparatus for demented men]

In order to study the feasibility of new sensorily stimulating material for elderly demented men, their behaviour was observed while the material was handed over to them. The newly developed materials consisted of five different constructions, i.e. a mirrorbox, a simple hand-operated stroboscope, a spring-operated ball for ringing a bell, two rotating wooden cogwheels, and a box having a sandpaper bottom of different grains causing a tactile contrast. In their verbal and nonverbal responses the demented men showed clear signs of interest in the constructions and the materials. The seven participating men showed much interest in materials made of wood and metal, and in the working of the constructions. The different constructions and materials could be combined into one complete 'snoezelproduct'.