opportunities for design: multi-sensory environments

Written By Sarah Richards

how intentionally designing for people’s senses can support dementia care

How we care for all seniors, but especially those with dementia is a critical and growing question. Today, more than 47 Million people live with demential, and that number is projected to grow to 150M in 2050. To create a safe space for patients with dementia, conditions are often sparse, lacking in traits we optimize for in our own homes like natural light, connection to the out of doors, color, art, and texture. These considerations impact patients, their caregivers and families.

Sound is an especially important component of creating positive living atmospheres for patients because of its deep connection to memory. Anke Jacob and Lesley Collier studied the affect of “multi-sensory environments” on patients with dementia. In analyzing the practices at 16 care homes in the UK, they found that these multi-sensory environments are not in the design of entire care spaces, but a discrete room. Often, the room was going unused because they were not designed for seniors, and the role was not understood by the care teams.

MSEs as a discrete space were first developed at the De Hartenburg Institute as a space for either relaxation or stimulation for people with severe cognitive disabilities. Color, scent, touch and light were used to create specific feelings and in some instances trigger past memories.

MSEs are a powerful tool in the care for dementia patients. They are shown to reduce agitation, improve alertness and mood, as well as increase communication. These results also positively impacted caregivers who reported improved job satisfaction and improved connection with the patient.

Caregiver and Focus Group Wish Lists

Diversification away from visual and tactile stimulation, which can cause overstimulation in some patients

Sound - Currently calming music is played

Natural elements

Control over the environment / personalization

Tasting sessions - typically offered outside of the MSE

Design specifically for seniors and those with demential - warm and comfortable furniture, lighting and paint

Limited number of objects in the room

Age appropriate content

Involve family members

Manage time required to use the MSE

Design Applications

  • Reimagine furniture with the tactile elements, and the dynamic/control nature built in

  • Create a visitors lounge that uses MSE elements to engage family members in the process

  • Create custom music that is popular music from patients’ era, played at a slower speed

  • Create illuminated products in high end finishes that are themselves aesthetically pleasing (i.e. natural wood)

  • Incorporate more natural materials or connection to the outdoors (safely), through a greenhouse or bird feeder placed on a window

Additional Resources:

https://eprints.kingston.ac.uk/id/eprint/30132/1/Jakob-A-29602.pdf

Citation: Anke Jakob & Lesley Collier (2017) Sensory enrichment for people living with dementia: increasing the benefits of multisensory environments in dementia care through design, Design for Health, 1:1, 115-133, DOI: 10.1080/24735132.2017.1296274

Sarah Richards