Significant decrease in agitation and wandering among residents, along with a generally improved well-being. These are some of the results at the Lillevang Nursing Home in an innovation project with Furesø Municipality in 2023.
Together with staff at Lillevang Nursing Home in Furesø Municipality, Wavecare has developed and implemented a new sensory concept aimed at improving the well-being of nursing home residents with dementia and providing staff with new tools.
The sensory concept includes light, films, and music, which have been designed to create a calming and stress-reducing atmosphere. The solution has been integrated into the residents’ communal areas with the goal of fostering peace throughout the day. Additionally, Wavecare has developed new mobile sensory solutions that can be brought into the residents’ homes. These solutions have been tested in connection with various care and daily routines, yielding excellent results!
What the staff say about Wavecare
“The change from before to now is that we can get the residents to calm down more quickly. I feel that all the residents have benefited from it, including myself. It’s a completely different atmosphere in the group now compared to before.”
– Anita Udengaard Thejl, social and healthcare assistant
“Specifically, it has created calm. It has created calm for some specific residents and within the staff group. When the staff are calm, the residents are calm as well. I’m most surprised by the effect it has had on the staff, making them almost in a zen state when they come in. I’m sure it has also played a role in reducing sick leave.”
– Majbritt Tillgreen Jensen, daily manager
Positive results to be expanded to other nursing homes in Furesø Municipality
Lars Carstensen (C), Chairman of the Committee for Elderly and Health in Furesø Municipality, believes this is an important step toward finding solutions that help citizens with dementia:
“In the project, we’ve seen positive outcomes with residents who are less agitated, walk less, and show fewer outward reactions. This has brought more calmness and improved well-being for both residents and staff. If these positive effects continue, it would be exciting to implement the solution in other nursing homes in the municipality.”
At Lillevang Nursing Home, other departments are testing the mobile devices. The collaboration with Wavecare will continue over the coming years, as Furesø Municipality aims to gather further insights into sensory solutions.
Results from the Sensory Project in Furesø
Residents:
- Significant decrease in restlessness and wandering among residents
- Increased social interaction and participation in group activities
- Creates a calming atmosphere that provides security for residents
- Enhances interaction between residents and staff
- Reduces the need for antipsychotic medication and conflict-reducing measures
- Promotes a healthy circadian rhythm
- Improves quality of life and well-being
Staff:
- Increased calm and improved well-being among care staff
- More time to assist other residents, beyond those who previously required more attention
- New tools for care and better handling of challenging situations
- Magnolia Haven has reduced staff hours by nearly 30% (29.4%), equivalent to 175 hours per month
- Less time pressure for staff, contributing to a more balanced work environment
- Reduction in sick leave during the project period
