Chesalon Residential Aged Care, NSW
Dementia care mapping
This item briefly describes how a program of sensory enrichment was developed for residents at Anglicare Chesalon Beecroft. Our aim was to provide novel, pleasurable and relaxing stimuli. Dementia Care Mapping (1) (DCM) was used to evaluate the process of sensory enrichment and its contribution to person-centred care and residents' well-being. DCM is a developmental evaluation tool, used for continuous quality improvement and involving quantitative and qualitative methods. As a developmental evaluation tool, it enables members of staff to use their knowledge and skills in a creative and flexible manner to promote wellbeing for residents
Underpinning dementia care mapping is Kitwood's concept of person-centred care (2). He considered this requires us to respond not only to basic physical/clinical needs, but also to the psychosocial needs for identity, attachment, inclusion, occupation, comfort and love. Such care supports and sustains people on the rest of their life's journey.
Our sensory program was developed from visiting creative facilities nationally and internationally (3,4,5,6). The aim of the approach is to enrich the person's senses of taste, smell, hearing, sight and touch. We achieved this using the lived sensory environment, and/or structured programs involving low-tech everyday objects or specific high-tech equipment. Emphasis is placed on taken-for-granted joys and relaxation like walks in the garden, sitting outdoors experiencing the sun's warmth or watching the birds, and indoor sensory pleasures associated with showers, meals and plenty of hugs and cuddles.
Before we began our journey of structured sensory programs, we asked ourselves these questions:
- Will the program be economically viable in terms of staffing and equipment?
- Does it have the potential to enhance the lifestyle of the residents?
- Does it comply with the requirements of the Accreditation Standards for residential aged care facilities?
Using dementia care mapping, we were able to affirmatively answer each question. We observed positive responses during many day-to-day sensory experiences using dementia care mapping. The data clearly highlighted that sensory enrichment provided a pathway to person-centred care. We also captured residents' positive responses using videotape.
Sensory enrichment enhances the lives of those in care. It is achievable, affordable and sustainable within the current aged care climate.
(1) Bradford Dementia Group (1997) Evaluating dementia care, The DCM Method. (7th Ed). Bradford: University of Bradford
(2) Kitwood, T (1997). Dementia reconsidered. The person comes first. Buckingham: Open University Press.
(3) Randall, MA (1998). Leisure programs for people with dementia. Report to The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust of Australia. Canberra
(4) Hulsegge, J & Verheul, A (1987). Snoezelen. Another world. Alink, R (Trans) UK: Rompa.
(5) Wylie, K (1994). Innovative practices in dementia care. Report to The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust of Australia. Canberra.
(6) Wylie, K (2000). Valuing sensation and sentence in dementia care. Doctoral Thesis, University of Newcastle. Australia.
