Snoezelen activity: the Good Shepherd Nursing Home experience

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Neurology
• Therapeutic Recreation

Background:

• Dementia care presents unique challenges, with traditional activities sometimes causing frustration.
• Nursing home residents with dementia often struggle with rule-based activities.
• A need exists for adaptable, therapeutic interventions in dementia care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of Snoezelen (multisensory therapy) in reducing behavioral symptoms in nursing home residents with dementia.
• To assess Snoezelen therapy as a quality improvement initiative.
• To determine if Snoezelen offers a beneficial alternative to traditional activities.

Main Methods:

• A 1-year outcome-based quality improvement project was conducted.
• Snoezelen therapy was implemented as a failure-free activity in an enabling environment.
• Data was collected on behavioral symptoms experienced by residents with dementia.

Main Results:

• The project indicated that Snoezelen therapy can be a successful intervention.
• Employees reported positive experiences for both residents and staff.
• The therapy provided both stimulation and relaxation for residents.

Conclusions:

• Snoezelen therapy shows promise in managing behavioral symptoms associated with dementia.
• Despite implementation barriers, the therapy is considered rewarding and beneficial.
• Further exploration of Snoezelen's role in dementia care is warranted.