A multi-sensory environment for the treatment of dementia affected subjects
P. Marti, H.H. Lund, M. Bacigalupo, L. Giusti, C. Mennecozzi
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AbstractThe paper describes the early outcomes of a multi-sensory room project conducted in an Italian long-term care home to study non-pharmacological therapeutic protocols to stimulate and maintain residual abilities of dementia affected patients. This includes setting, technological solutions, therapeutic protocols and pilot testing. In a nursing home clinical cases and therapeutic practices have been studied before designing the multi-sensory environment enhanced with ambient intelligence technologies. Aim is to obtain an optimal level of stimulation of dementia affected patients through engagement, active participation and intrinsic motivation in a therapeutic (leisure) activity, and favouring the emergence of personal meanings (memories, interpretations, narratives). The outcome of this pilot includes a blended therapeutic model with controlled stimuli, adapted to the patient’s stage of dementia. Therapeutic significance is discussed, as well as design opportunities for future development.Keywords: dementia; leisure therapy; multi-sensory stimulation
P. Marti, H.H. Lund, M. Bacigalupo, L. Giusti, C. Mennecozzi (2007). A multi-sensory environment for the treatment of dementia affected subjects. Gerontechnology, 6(1), 33-41
https://doi.org/10.4017/gt.2007.06.01.004.00