Snoezelen in dementia, fortunately more and more attention is being paid to the importance of snoezelen among this target group. And more and more is known about the effects of the use of sensory materials in elderly people with dementia. Read in this article what cuddling and sensory aids can contribute to the quality of life of people with dementia.

What is snoezelen?

Snoezelen is relaxing in a space in which objects, images, colors, smells and sounds pleasantly stimulate the senses. The word snoezelen is a contraction of the words doze (which refers to the atmosphere) and sniff (which refers to the inquiring element). Snoezelen offers an entrance to make contact with the experience of young and old through pleasant sensory stimuli. This has a positive effect on their mood and behavior, contributing to quality of life. It is about de-stimulating or looking for pleasant stimuli on the basis of feeling, seeing, hearing, moving. Read more about snoezelen.

The added value of snoezelen for elderly people with dementia

Elderly people with dementia are often self-absorbed. Snoezelen ensures a better contact with the environment and reality. Snoezelen gives people with dementia the relaxation they need. These sensory stimuli have a positive effect on the mood of people with dementia. The snoezelen ensures less agitation and depressive feelings in people with dementia and therefore contributes to quality of life.

As a person’s dementia progresses, this person becomes more and more withdrawn into a world of their own. This makes it very difficult to make contact with the outside world. The senses remain intact and therefore offer opportunities for more contact. By allowing people with dementia to cuddle at an advanced stage, emotions are expressed more. In addition, it provides relaxation for demented elderly people.

Effects of Snoezelen on demented elderly people

By offering snoezelen, anxiety can be reduced in elderly people with dementia. Snoezelen gives a feeling of security and can lead to relaxation which manifests itself in muscle relaxation, smile on the face, eye contact, better verbal contact, etc.

In the long term, cuddling can make older people feel more comfortable despite advanced dementia.
The quality of care also improves because the residential care staff is even more involved with the elderly with dementia.
However, snoezelen is not only intended for professionals, but can also be done by family members / friends. Here too, the extra involvement will have a positive effect on the relationship between the elderly with dementia and his environment.

The main objective of snoezelen is to promote the well-being of the person concerned. As the dementia progresses, the person with dementia starts to withdraw further and further into his own world. But the senses and feeling are still intact; These are also the areas that Snoezelen responds to and with which contact is made. A person with advanced dementia functions at the sensorimotor level. One can reach him in his inner world through the senses and physical touches, also think of massage and brushing.

Different senses can be stimulated in a dosed way with different materials. The emotions that arise in the person concerned during the snoezing are expressed in this way. In an advanced stage of dementia, the person with dementia can often no longer express his emotions and pain, cuddling can ensure that it succeeds. As a result, anxiety and restlessness can be greatly reduced and those involved can relax and unwind better.

All senses can be stimulated through smells, touch, music, warmth, tastes and light. It is important that not too many incentives are offered and that careful attention is paid to the reaction of the person concerned. It depends very much on the person and the phase they are in, which means and materials best suit the need and what gives the most pleasant experience.

Snoezelen has the following positive effects in dementia

•Recreation
• Combat boredom
• Stimulating contact
• Improve sensory perception

Snoezel material in dementia

Visual drip track

A liquid hourglass (also called liquid timer) is wonderfully soothing. This drip path is therefore suitable for use in elderly people with dementia at times of imminent overstimulation or as a transitional moment. Or in a snooze room, to relax. This drip path is filled with black liquid. Watch the small liquid droplets that gradually roll down. New droplets are formed that follow the law of gravity. Once the sump is filled at the bottom, the hourglass can be turned over and looked at again. Many elderly people with dementia find visual hourglasses pleasant to look at, it helps them process and calm stimuli.

Sensory blocks

The sensory block set consists of 16 large hardwood blocks containing various materials. Think of beads, transparent acrylic, colored sand and water / glitter filled blocks. These sensory materials are in bags, making the blocks not only a feast for the eyes, but also for the senses of touch. The blocks consist of 4 different shapes (square, rectangle, triangle and semicircle). The cheerful blocks stimulate inquiry-based learning and observation. And how about the rattling of the blocks, listen to the effect of the different products in the blocks. These beautiful sensory blocks are suitable for people with dementia.

Senseez trendables

These trendy vibrating cushions give a soft vibrating feeling when pressed or when sitting on them. Senseez pillows help the body to calm, relax and unwind. The ideal pillow to fall asleep with or relax on the couch. Kissing senseez can also provide sensory touch stimuli to activate and thus increase alertness. Even in elderly people with dementia, these vibrations can help them to calm down, or stimulate them to feel their body or take action.

Tactile balls

Tactile balls (also called sensory balls) come in different shapes, colors and feel different. From soft tactile balls, to plastic, rubber, … here I discuss the tactile soft mini balls from the brand Rubbabu and the sensory mini balls set. These slightly squishy tactile balls fit perfectly in the palm of the hand. They are great sensory toys for children, adults and seniors as friemelmatial or sensory toys, Rubbabu balls can be used as stress balls, rehabilitation and therapy products. The tactile balls contribute to the sensory experience in elderly people with dementia.

Happy senso

Happy Senso is a gel with multisensory properties. This sensory gel, which seems to be a kind of foam, was developed from the popular crackling soap. It is a true stimulation for all the senses. Demented elderly people enjoy the properties of this gel. It can be heard, felt, seen and smelled. It also has a cooling effect on the skin. Fantastic to use for sensory stimulation. This can be done individually but also together or in groups. It is fun to use and provides beautiful contact moments. Highly recommended!

Snoezel room in dementia

Special snoezel rooms are often used to let people snooze. But snoezelen can also be embedded in activities in a living room or create a corner as a snooze place. Read more about setting up snoezel space here.
In addition to snoezelen in a snoezel room, one can also choose to snoezelen in a bathroom. Here you combine the functional; the bathing situation, with the pleasant; the snoezelen. A bathroom is ideally suited for cuddling, because it already offers a number of sensory experiences in itself. For example, the warmth and security of the water and the personal contact.

Because elderly people with dementia often find it difficult to relax, it is possible to stimulate them and thereby initiate communication and contact. Both through body language and sensory. By offering visual, auditory, tactile, sensopatic materials and stimuli dosed in a warm room or in a bathing situation, a different relaxation activity is created than is regularly offered by the day.

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