Snoezelen Rooms
Snoezelen rooms have been used to soothe confused, agitated and disturbed Alzheimer's patients.
By definition, Snoezelen rooms are multi-sensory, therapeutic environments of light, sound, aroma, and touch sensations. They are cozy, therapeutic rooms filled with multiple colors and lights, soft music, pleasing fragrances, plush pillows, and other sensory stimuli that turns agitation into calm and confusion into comfort.
Snoezelen, derived from the Dutch words for "to doze" and "to sniff", is a non-threatening environment designed to give children and adults with learning and developmental disabilities a multi-sensory experience. This European import excites the senses, which, in turn, reduces anxiety and promotes relaxation.
There are many web sites available to learn more about Snoezelen products. (just
type in Snoezelen products into Google or Yahoo search)
Snoezelen products can be quite expensive but nursing homes are even costlier.
I have tried to create a Snoezelen environment for Chris by turning our home into one big Snoezelen room.
Television- VCRs playing home movies or playing movies of animals and fish, lava lamps (safely out of reach or home movies of lava lamps), bubble tubes running, a bird cage with two very active colorful little birds to watch and colorful mobiles hanging everywhere. I have always kept something in Chris's hands, something that feels good or is interesting to touch. Music playing in the back ground. All of the sensory stimulation has helped to distract and soothe Chris and has made my job as a caregiver easier.
Putting an age to the stage is helpful in finding age appropriate sensory simulating activities, videos and toys.
Examples of comfort Tapes Tour my home video.