Sensory experience room supports people with dementia at Rayleigh care home
The initiative is "really important" to improve the quality of life for those with dementia
A new immersive, sensory experience room in Rawreth Court in Rayleigh is helping to support older people with dementia.
The care home, run by Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, is now offering a dedicated and personalised space for those experiencing distress.
The 'Namaste Care' room can carry out personalised sessions for residents, with a range of music, projectors, and props to help recreate positive memories.
The room has been called "really important" for enhancing the quality of life for those with advanced dementia.
Matthew Sisto, Director of Patient Experience and Participation at the trust, said:
"The Namaste Care Room at Rawreth Court is a therapeutic space designed to enhance quality of life for people with advanced dementia. It is a sensory room that can be personalised to help residents reconnect with their memories.
"Our activity coordinators use sensory projectors, music, essential oils, scent boxes, and props to create different scenes that provide comfort, and help patients reminisce.
"For a resident who was a carpenter, we used a scent box to recreate the smell of his working shed, and family members brought in tools which he used to use and explained to staff how he would work using these tools.
"He always enjoyed a strong cup of tea with custard cream biscuits, so they also provided that.
"It is really important that we continue to do everything we can to improve the quality of life for people in our services, and help to improve that experience of care for people who have advanced dementia and their families."
Matthew thanked the team at Rawreth Court for helping both patients and family to experience positive moments.