Retired occupational therapist, and member of SoroptImist International Albany, Rosalind Sawyer saw there was a need to stimulate the senses of those battling such debilitating health issues by devising a kit that would assist them to recall memories and stimulate conversation.
Ms Sawyer’s enthusiasm for the project saw a small committee formed to produce a pilot which proved a success.
With SoroptImist support and funding through the City of Albany, the Brandenburg Trust and the Western Australian Government the project was expanded to include additional themes which today has grown to five; the beach, the shearing shed, the dairy, the garden and the kitchen.
The kits comprise a film on DVD and a selection of items to be seen, touched or smelled.
Users are encouraged to add their own items relating to the theme. Examples such as wool straight from the shearing shed and sand and shells from the beach readily bring a smile to residents.
The introduction of multi sensory kits has become a popular and successful approach to improve the lives of those in aged care facilities.
Upon learning of the wonderful success in Western Australia, members of Cobram Soroptimists’ looked into it and recently purchased five kits to donate to Irvin House and Cobam Regional Care.
The Soroptimists’ were pleased to be able to present the set of five to Cobrams’ two aged care facilities, firmly believing the innovative kits would provide memory prompts and call on senses such as sight, sound, touch and smell to encourage memory and conversation.
Purchased at a cost of $500 the five kits will be shared between the two facilities.
Accepting the generous donation Cobram Regional Care Chief Executive Officer Tracey Gemmill said they were an opportunity to help improve residents lives.
“This provides a fantastic opportunity for residents to recall happy times and hopefully stimulate further memories,” Ms Gemmill said.
“We’re extremely grateful to Soroptimists for their generosity.”
Director of Clinical Services at NCN Cobram, Carolyn Hargreaves, agreed.
“We are extremely grateful to Soroptimists for the kit and trust residents find it beneficial, hopefully stimulating greater conversation and a renewed interest in their surrounds,” Ms Hargreaves said.
Sufferers often live in their own little world, they appear withdrawn and have limited ability to interact with others.
According to studies done in WA, benefits from the kit are emerging and clients with early to moderate dementia are enjoying the sensory experience, recalling events from years gone by and having increased discussion with others. Something they had not done for a very long time.
Soroptimists International Cobam Barooga was formed 30 years ago. Today it has 23 members and if you would like to learn more about the group they would love to hear from you.
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