Sensory P Sensory P Sensory P

achieving weIIbeing pIanning for achieving weIIbeing, pIanning for g g, p g

S S Sue So Sue So
C I' J CaroI's Journeyy
Background Background
Carol is in her early 50's and was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease 2 Carol is in her early 50 s and was diagnosed with Alzheimer s disease 2
Sh d i t ith l ti iti f years ago. She needs assistance with some more complex activities of
daily living. She did not want to take medication. She complained of: y g p
R tl i th i Restlessness in the evenings
T it hi l & fiddli ith h h d Twitching legs & fiddling with her hands
Difficulty sitting still constantly fidgeting and moving Difficulty sitting still, constantly fidgeting and moving
Problems concentrating Problems concentrating
Feeling tense and difficulty sleeping Feeling tense and difficulty sleeping
Constant rubbing of her thighs or the cat; whichever was to hand! Constant rubbing of her thighs or the cat; whichever was to hand!
The Proposed SoIution p
The principles of Sensory Processing were explained. p p y g p
A l ti f th lt i ith i f ti b t ibl An explanation of the results was given with information about possible
interventions.
Use of massage roller on legs g g
U f f b ll t l t C l f d k itti Use of foam balls to squeeze, later Carol found knitting more
beneficial
Use of rocking chair g
W i lf i h bl k t Wrapping self in heavy blanket
What next? What next?
Suggested interventions were tried and proved successful She reported less agitation le Suggested interventions were tried and proved successful. She reported less agitation, le
bed at night and the cat was happier! She asked to look at other ways she could use thi bed at night and the cat was happier! She asked to look at other ways she could use thi
th Th P li d S P fil d l d Sh h h express them. The Personalised Sensory Profile was developed. She has her own copy
P Ii PersonaIise
J t f C Just some of C
Ask me first Ask me first
b f before
changing g g
anything anything
don't like like to hear don t like
labels in my
like to hear
the birds labels in my the birds
don't like
clothes
don t like
strong perfume strong perfume
Benefits for CaroI Benefits for CaroI
Enabled to self manage sensory needs and increased self worth Enabled to self manage sensory needs and increased self worth
More aware of needs so better management of condition More aware of needs so better management of condition
Easier to relax and enjoy activities Easier to relax and enjoy activities
Has enabled her to look at other ways of meeting sensory needs e.g. Has enabled her to look at other ways of meeting sensory needs e.g.
regular massage balance class knitting gardening regular massage, balance class, knitting, gardening
Ensures needs can be met if unable to communicate as plan is in Ensures needs can be met if unable to communicate as plan is in
notes and family have copy notes and family have copy
Family & carers can remain involved in helping to provide for sensory Family & carers can remain involved in helping to provide for sensory
d needs
ncreased sense of wellbeing ncreased sense of wellbeing
RefIection e ect o
More aware of my own sensory needs and preferences More aware of my own sensory needs and preferences.
Have completed my own sensory profile and plan Have completed my own sensory profile and plan.
Very aware of the impact of sensory processing difficulties during interventions with pa y y g g
Now consider sensory difficulties when working with challenging behaviour and encou Now consider sensory difficulties when working with challenging behaviour and encou
Contact: Contact:
Sue Southam, OT
Oakley CMHTs for Older People, Oakley House, y p , y ,
15, Oakley Lane, Wimborne BH21 1SF.
sue.southam@dhuft.nhs.uk @
ProfiIing: ProfiIing: ProfiIing:
the future in earIy onset dementia the future in earIy onset dementia y
outham outham
The OccupationaI The OccupationaI p
Therapist's Journey Therapist s Journey
Introduction Introduction
Attendance at a basic Sensory ntegration (S) course stimulated interest in Attendance at a basic Sensory ntegration (S) course stimulated interest in
th th t l ith d ti th i d the way that people with dementia manage their sensory needs.
Sensory ProfiIe Sensory ProfiIe
The profile was completed and comments from Carol and her husband were The profile was completed and comments from Carol and her husband were
noted t was scored and analysed with the help of a qualified S therapist noted. t was scored and analysed with the help of a qualified S therapist.
Results: Results:
Two standard deviations (much more than most people) from the normal Two standard deviations (much more than most people) from the normal
population in : population in :
Low registration Low registration
Sensory sensitivity Sensory sensitivity
Sensation avoiding Sensation avoiding
Similar to the normal population in: Similar to the normal population in:
Sensation seekingg
Carol's comments indicated that previously she had strategies that helped y g
her manage sensory input. her manage sensory input.
She was now struggling to do this due to her dementia. gg g
ess tension she was able to sit still for longer periods her legs no longer twitched in ess tension, she was able to sit still for longer periods, her legs no longer twitched in
s to help her manage day to day and to have her needs met if she could no longer s to help her manage day to day and to have her needs met if she could no longer
d th i i h t and there is a copy in her notes.
d S P fiI ed Sensory ProfiIe y
C l' f Carol's preferences..
love the love the
smell of fresh
flowers
Speak to me before
flowers
especially
Speak to me before
Wake me
especially
roses
you touch me
Wake me
gently
roses
e
gently
e
Benefits for the OccupationaI Therapist Benefits for the OccupationaI Therapist
Greater understanding of how sensory needs impact on functional Greater understanding of how sensory needs impact on functional
ti iti activities
C ll b ti ki ith C l bli h t t k hi f h Collaborative working with Carol enabling her to take ownership of her
profile p
G t f th b fit f h t Greater awareness of the benefits of sensory approaches to manage
behaviours
Can offer to others to help plan for the future p p
C d f i d i l d d h l th t Carers and friends are involved and help the person to manage sensory
needs successfully y
Maximises the potential for achieving participation and wellbeing p g p p g
t i li bl t dl f t is applicable to everyone regardless of age
atients and its effect on participation and wellbeing. g
urage others to try this approach rather than immediately looking to medication. urage others to try this approach rather than immediately looking to medication.
References: References:
D W 2009 Li i S ti ll Dunn, W., 2009. Living Sensationally:
understanding your senses Jessica Kingsley understanding your senses. Jessica Kingsley
Publishers. ub s e s
mage courtesy of mage courtesy of
Photokanok/FreeDigitalPhotos.net g