When you walk down one of Thistle Court’s hallways you get a pleasant aroma of baked bread, fresh apples and fresh flowers, scents you wouldn’t expect in a care home. As you keep walking you realise you are walking past an apple tree with bright red and green apples growing from them ready to be picked off and popped into a wicker basket, or a bakery store showcasing croissants and freshly baked bread. Of course with a closer look, you realise these are murals with interactive foods attached to the wall and hidden scent boxes tucked near the ceiling, which release smells associated with the experience of each mural.
These murals provide a physical interaction for residents (who are fondly referred to as ‘family members’), with objects and textures that they may enjoy feeling and that can help ground them in the activity. The scent that is used for the wall helps with engagement in the experience, and can bring back feelings from one’s past. The experience is the same for the bakery wall, with the scent of food being able to help stimulate hunger for people with a Dementia who may otherwise have trouble recognising hunger signs. It can be comforting for them to use these sensory walls, especially if visiting shops such as a bakery or florist was part of their routine before they came to live at Thistle Court. Keeping this continuation of life, even if it is adapted (such as selecting the sensory items that are designed to look like bakery treats rather than visiting a bakery in person), can be so important for continuation of life.
How Sensory Experiences Support Individuals Living with a Dementia
Sensory experiences play a crucial role in enhancing the well-being of individuals on a Dementia journey by stimulating their cognitive functions and fostering emotional connections. Engaging in activities that involve touch, sound, sight, smell, and taste can help trigger past feelings and provide comfort, even as other cognitive abilities may decline. For example, familiar scents, like a favourite food, can evoke positive memories and emotions, while gentle touch or listening to soothing music can reduce anxiety and promote relaxation. Sensory stimulation encourages engagement and social interaction, helping people with a Dementia feel more connected to their environment and those around them – this improves their overall quality of life and can give them a sense of purpose.
At Thistle Court Care Home
The introduction of these walls at Thistle Court truly make a difference. For Vera, who lives in the Cwmbran care home, this can be a way to communicate and to enjoy her time. She interacts with the bakery wall, picking up the bakery items and smelling them; she also tries to share the items with other people, striking up conversations and communicating with people she may otherwise have not spoken to. In addition to this, the walls create a talking point for relatives and visitors – Vera collects apples from the tree on the wall with her daughter, and children that visit are often excited by the walls too.
Sarah Butfield, Home Manager of Thistle Court Care Home said “Having sensory walls at Thistle Court has made a noticeable difference for some of our family members. It is clear to see the positive effects it has had for them, and it even makes team members happy to walk past. We are currently in the process of putting together a post office-themed mural which we are excited about.”
Thistle Court Care Home is based in Cwmbran, South Wales. The home recognises that activities and occupation can come in many forms, from something simple like interacting with the sensory walls, to more energising events like music and movement activities. The team at Thistle Court Care Home understands that activity should not be one size fits all, and they tailor it to each family member, taking into account their interests and life before coming to live at the home.
To find out more about activities at Thistle Court Care Home, please visit: https://thistlecourtcarehome.com/activities-in-care/