Targeting the Five Senses - Neuropsychiatric Symptoms of Dementia Improve Without Drugs

June 24, 2010 - PRLog -- Blogtalkradio's 'HOSPICE RADIO', in its second year of noncommercial formatting on internet radio, features interviews with leaders in the field of aging, end-of-life care  and caregiving.  Host Dr. Zoë A.  Lewis inteviewed THE SENSITIVE ROOM, North Miami Beach, Florida, about their specialized treatment center using the Snoezelen Technique, (sensory treatment strategy),  for all stages of Alzheimers and dementia patients. Visit http://www.blogtalkradio.com/drzoehospice, to hear and download the compete interview.

Dr. Zoë A. Lewis, internist, and  published author is  an activist on Alzheimer's disease education and  caregiving, and founder of http://www.hopethroughknowledge.org.  Her most  recent program  examines the use of the Snoezelen method for treating the neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia.  Her two books on dementia  cover drug therapy, as well as  many other forms of care substantiated by clinical research.  These include chapters on art and music therapy, environmental modifications in the home, touch and sensory stimulation therapy.  “I Hope They Know: The Essential Handbook on Alzheimers Disease and Care, ( 2008),  and "Espero que sepan: La guía holística para la enfermedad de Alzheimer, (2009),Virtualbookworm Publishing.

The concept of Snoezelen was defined in the late 1970’s by two Dutch therapists, Jan Hulsegge and Ad Verheul. While working at the De Hartenberg Institute in Holland, a center for people with cognitive disabilities, the two therapists learned of the positive responses a colleague was able to elicit from his severely challenged clients when they were exposed to a sensory environment he had assembled. The rest is history. The Snoezelen Technique has been used in Europe for over 20 years with success in  improving  neuropsychiatric symptoms.

The Sensitive Room, the first of its kind in South Florida, uses the environment to stimulate the primary senses of sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell, through the use of lighting effects, tactile surfaces, meditative music and the odor of relaxing essential oils. Time spent in a sensory room has been shown to increase concentration, alertness, calmness, and general awareness of the surrounding world.

Dr. Lewis hopes this interview will focus listeners on the benefits of nonpharmacological interventions for those suffering with a dementing illness to improve neuropsyhiatric symptoms.  She cites studies of nonpharmacological interventions out-number those of pharmacological interventions, and randomized, controlled trials document the efficacy of many interventions, referring to  studies in JAMA, Journal of the American Geriatrics Society,The American Journal of Alzheimer’s Care and Related Disorders and Research, Journal of Gerontology, Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology.  Furthermore she states, "As a practicing hospitalist - internist and as a hospice doctor, I recognized too many of my collegues in primary care and internal medicine know very little, if anything  about these kinds of interventions. Many laugh at the idea of using specialized music or aroma therapy.  I'd like to help change that persception.”

The Sensitive Room is a private center in South Florida.http://www.sensitiveroom.com

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The website www.hopethroughknowledge is dedicated to encouraging the dissemination of information to practitioners and families of those with aging, end of life care issues and dementia. Also links to Hospice Radio and aging resources.