Within dementia care, there is a need to facilitate appropriate sensory experiences and opportunities for meaningful engagement for people living with dementia, particularly in later stages. As such, the provision of multisensory environments designed to meet the needs of these individuals and offering suitable occupation and stimulation, have increasingly gained significance. In this context, this paper explores the meaning of experience-focused, sensory design and the importance of appropriate sensory stimulation for wellbeing. It refers to recent interdisciplinary research in this area and a new guide advising on design of sensory enhanced spaces in residential dementia care. The primary focus of the paper is a case study showcasing the implementation of sensory design, based on these guidelines. The case study reports on the co-creation of a sensory, experience-focused space for residents with dementia in a London care-home. Based on this example, the paper highlights the value and impact of appropriate sensory design on the wellbeing of people with dementia and their carers. The conclusion discusses the learning and knowledge gained from this process as well as perspectives on further research activities including the analysis of user feedback and evaluation of the design intervention.

The paper discusses the growing role of design in dementia care and its power to enhance the wellbeing of people living with dementia, their carers and caregivers. It refers to three examples of recent design research focusing on creating environments, objects and technologies to support appropriate person-centred stimulation and activities in dementia care. The projects use interdisciplinary co-design approaches and ethnographic methods to establish new knowledge and develop user-centred design solutions to improve care. The authors debate that engaging end-users in the design process not only empowers the designer; the collaborative approach enables in particular the carer / caregiver to reflect on their important task and to mobilise their creativity.

The journal article discusses the role of textiles in facilitating sensory enriched environments and meaningful occupation for people living with dementia. It is based on recent interdisciplinary research, a collaboration between design and healthcare, that investigated the provision of multi-sensory experience for people with dementia living in care-homes, particularly the quality and design of Multi-Sensory Environments (MSEs). Through an ethnographic study this investigation unveiled significant design deficiencies of existing facilities in UK care-homes and profound lack of information amongst care professionals and care givers. The absence of textiles and its appropriate use was noticeable. From this research essential design criteria emerged which informed the development of initial design recommendations for setting up MSEs tailored to the specific needs of people living with dementia and their carers. Further, the article discusses the benefits of employing textiles in dementia care – either for occupation or within the environment. Sensorial qualities and psychological benefits are highlighted as well as the potential of applying advanced textile technologies. Further work is suggested regarding three aspects: proof-of-concept and prototyping implementing the developed design recommendations for sensory enhanced spaces to establish more evidence from end-user feedback as requested by stakeholders; investigating ways of how to achieve sustainable impact through adapting participatory design methods and conveying design skills and knowledge to care practitioners; exploring the potential of textiles and advanced textile technology for design for dementia.

Recent research has investigated the impact of design on providing multisensory experience for people with dementia living in care homes, particularly the quality of multisensory environments (MSEs). This interdisciplinary research evolved from a broad consideration of the role of design in dementia care enhancing the wellbeing of people living with dementia and their carers. Previous research suggests that using MSE in dementia care as a resource for meaningful engagement has beneficial effects and many MSEs have been installed in UK care homes. However, evidence indicates that these spaces often fail to benefit the residents causing staff becoming discouraged and subsequently the room becoming unused. A study investigating the current facilitation of MSE in sixteen UK care homes revealed two key issues: (1) set-up and design of existing MSEs in care environments is, in most cases, not suitable for older people; (2) there is a lack of knowledge and information for care practitioners for facilitating sensory activities and environments. Based on these findings, design criteria improving usability and accessibility for people with dementia were established and user-centred design recommendations developed. As a first step towards closing the knowledge gap amongst healthcare practitioners in providing multisensory experience, initial design guidelines were published as an online resource.

This paper discusses how design can enhance the wellbeing of people living with dementia, their carers and caregivers. It refers to two examples of recent design research that focus on supporting the provision and facilitation of appropriate activities and environments for individuals with advanced dementia in residential care. The projects use interdisciplinary co-design approaches and ethnographic methods to establish new knowledge and develop user-centred design solutions to improve care. Questioning how to REDO design research to create a sustainable impact on the lives of those affected by dementia, the paper concludes that active involvement and continued participation of users, carers and care practitioners in the design process is essential. Training on design skills and making will enable carers to adapt a designing attitude. Exploring how such training can be delivered is a chance for the design community, in collaboration with experts from health care, to take the lead in solving this problem.

BACKGROUND:Multisensory environments (MSEs) for people with dementia have been available over 20 years but are used in an ad hoc manner using an eclectic range of equipment. Care homes have endeavored to utilize this approach but have struggled to find a design and approach that works for this setting.AIMS:Study aims were to appraise the evolving concept of MSEs from a user perspective, to study the aesthetic and functional qualities, to identify barriers to staff engagement with a sensory environment approach, and to identify design criteria to improve the potential of MSE for people with dementia.METHODS:Data were collected from 16 care homes with experience of MSE using ethnographic methods, incorporating semi-structured interviews, and observations of MSE design. Analysis was undertaken using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis.RESULTS:Observations revealed equipment that predominantly stimulated vision and touch. Thematic analysis of the semi-structured interviews revealed six themes: not knowing what to do in the room, good for people in the later stages of the disease, reduces anxiety, it's a good activity, design and setting up of the space, and including relatives and care staff.CONCLUSION:Few MSEs in care homes are designed to meet needs of people with dementia, and staff receive little training in how to facilitate sessions. As such, MSEs are often underused despite perceived benefits. Results of this study have been used to identify the design principles that have been reviewed by relevant stakeholders.

Sensory Rooms is an exhibition that has been developed to provide ideas on how new approaches to design could result in the creation of environments that would better suit the needs of people living with dementia. It showcases the results of a recently funded research enquiry into the current provision of multi sensory stimulation for this age group, in particular the design of multi sensory spaces (often referred to as ‘Sensory Rooms’). The overall purpose of the research has been to establish new knowledge from which coherent, user-centred design solutions can be developed. The exhibition launches a Guide Book “How to make a Sensory Room for people living with dementia” offering advice and ideas on how to construct and design a multi sensory space tailored towards people with dementia. Visiting the exhibition will be in itself a multi sensory experience as it features projections, textiles, sound and scent. This work will be of interest to professionals from care practice, policy makers, and designers as well as to those individuals caring for relatives living with dementia. The exhibition and the event are the results of an interdisciplinary research project led by Dr Anke Jakob (design researcher, Kingston University London) in collaboration with Dr Lesley Collier (senior lecturer in Occupational Therapy, University of Southampton) and funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council UK (AHRC) and supported by Care UK.

This interdisciplinary research critically investigated the design qualities of multisensory stimulation offered in homes caring for residents with dementia. The aesthetic and functional qualities currently provided such as material, colour, imagery, spatial set-up, usability, and accessibility were examined and reasons and criteria for success and failure of existing multisensory environment (MSE) facilities established. 16 care homes with some type of MSE participated in a study. Data were collected through structured interviews with 32 care home staff (managers, activity co-ordinators, care staff) familiar with the MSE and observations were made of the point of view of the person with dementia. Design recommendations have been developed and presented in a guide book accessible online. The guide gives advice on best practice of providing multisensory stimulation and how to design a MSE suitable and appropriate for people with dementia.

Coinciding with the exhibition Sensory Rooms: Designing Interventions to support dementia care, this event will feature short presentations and a panel discussion focusing on how multi-sensory stimulation and design can be delivered in an effective and successful way within a dementia care context, the challenges care homes are facing, and how the education and training needs of care workers in this area can be better addressed. The exhibition and the event are the results of an interdisciplinary research project is led by Dr Anke Jakob (design researcher, Kingston University London) in collaboration with Dr Lesley Collier (senior lecturer in Occupational Therapy, University of Southampton) and funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council UK (AHRC).

An interdisciplinary research project has evolved from a broad consideration in respect to the rising number of people with dementia, rapid growth of an ageing population, over-prescribed use of antipsychotic medication and the need for cost-effective interventions supporting dementia care. Within this context, this research aims to explore the quality of multisensory stimulation offered in homes for residents living with dementia, focusing on Multisensory Environments (MSEs) in particular, and whether design can improve such experiences and maximise therapeutic benefits. MSEs are widely used in dementia care as a meaningful leisure activity and a therapeutic intervention. However, evidence suggests that they often fail to address the specific needs of people with dementia due to inadequate design and poor facilitation. Also, little research has considered the impact of MSE design on engagement and wellbeing. Hence, this research investigates the aesthetic and functional qualities of MSEs currently provided, such as material, colour, imagery, spatial set-up, usability, and accessibility, with the aim of establishing reasons for success and failure. The research includes learning about the approach and challenges care home staff face in their daily work and exploring how they can be supported in providing improved care. Care homes have been visited to examine and record how they facilitate MSEs, applying ethnographic methods that incorporate structured interviews with care staff and managers, observations of sensory sessions and a focus group workshop with care home staff. The results of this study will inform the development of design recommendations for MSEs for people with dementia, potentially maximising the benefits for residents through improved design providing a person-centred experience. At the time of the conference the project was in its early stage and only preliminary results were available. The paper therefore focuses on the research context and discusses the process of identifying and setting the problem and research question. This research, a collaboration between researchers from design and occupational therapy, is funded by the Arts and Humanity Research Council (AHRC) and supported by Care UK.

Multisensory environmental design has long been at the discretion of our industrial partners. However, very little research has considered the impact of design on engagement and well-being (Collier et al., 2010; Anderson et al., 2011). This paper presents the preliminary findings from an interdisciplinary study funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, UK. This study aims to explore the quality of multi-sensory stimulation offered in homes caring for residents living with dementia, and whether design can help to improve such experiences and maximise therapeutic benefits. Within this context the research examines strategies of providing specific sensory experiences – focusing on Multi Sensory Environments (MSEs), their design, and their demanding role within homes caring for residents living with dementia. MSEs are widely used in dementia care as both a resource for meaningful leisure activity and a therapeutic intervention. However, evidence suggests that they often fail to succeed because of inadequate design and arrangements not addressing the specific needs of people with dementia or older people in general (Cruz et al., 2011; Dalke et al., 2011; Klages et al., 2011). In particular, the project investigates the aesthetic and functional qualities of MSE facilities such as material/colour/imagery applied, spatial set up, usability, accessibility - currently provided in care homes, with the aim to establish reasons for success and failure. The study involves 15 care homes with some type of MSE facility. Data will be collected using an ethnographic design incorporating structured interviews with care staff who are familiar with the MSE and observations from the point of view of the individual. The results of this study will provide valuable information on how improved overall design of MSEs could add value to the experience maximising the benefit for users and their carers. Subsequently, this will inform the development of design ideas for MSE facilities tailored towards people with dementia and their needs. References: Anderson, K., Bird, M., MacPherson, S., McDonough, V., & Davis, T. (2011). Findings from a Pilot Investigation of the Effectiveness of a Snoezelen Room in Residential Care: Should We Be Engaging with Our Residents More? Geriatric Nursing, 32, 166-177. Collier, L. McPherson, K. Ellis-Hill, C. Bucks, R. The use of multi-sensory environments to improve in older people with dementia: a randomised controlled trial. American Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease and other Dementias. 25(8), 2010, 698-703. Cruz, J., Marques, A., Barbosa, A. L., Figueiredo, D., & Sousa, L. (2011). Effects of a Motor and Multisensory-Based Approach on Residents with Moderate-to-Severe Dementia. American Journal of Alzheimers Disease and Other Dementias, 26, 282-289 Dalke, H., Corso, A., Stott, L., Dusmohamed, H., & Hunt, R. (2011). Living with Dementia: Can Design make a difference? Kingston University, 282-289 Klages, K., Zecevic, A., Orange, J. B., & Hobson, S. (2011). Potential of Snoezelen room multisensory stimulation to improve balance in individuals with dementia: a feasibility randomized controlled trial. Clinical Rehabilitation, 25, 607-616

This paper reports the results of a recent study funded by the AHRC into the current provision of multisensory stimulation for people with dementia living in care homes, in particular the design of multisensory spaces - often referred to as ‘Sensory Rooms’ or ‘Multisensory Environments’ (MSEs). The investigation aimed to establish new knowledge from which coherent, user-centred design solutions supporting improved dementia care could be developed. Previous research has shown that the use of Sensory Rooms in dementia care has beneficial effects as a resource for meaningful engagement and they are established in many UK care homes. However, evidence suggests that they often fail to benefit the people with dementia resulting in staff becoming discouraged, perceiving the space of little value, and subsequently becoming unused. Sixteen care homes with some type of sensory space were recruited for a study. Data were collected using ethnographic methods including semi structured interviews with 32 care home staff and observations were made from the perspective of the person with dementia. Results suggested that existing Sensory Rooms had inadequate design, inappropriate set-up and poor facilitation by staff. A focus group workshop was conducted further exploring design and methods of multisensory stimulation with staff from 4 care homes. Based on these results, design criteria and recommendations were identified that can potentially improve accessibility for people with dementia, and published in a Guide book “How to make a Sensory Room for people living with dementia” (accessible online ). The Guide is a tool for health care practitioners, care home staff and carers enabling them to create a sensory environment that is appropriate for residents with dementia and their families.

The three stories told here represent results of three research projects investigatingdesign for dementiacareand its impact. Each of these individual projects(‘Tangible Memories’,‘Sensor e-Textile’/LAUGH, ‘Multi-Sensory Environments in dementia care’)has been led by one of the three authors and received funding from the Arts & Humanity Research Council (AHRC) in UK.