Integrated sensory solution enhances well-being in nursing homes in Furesø Municipality

Wavecare’s sensory solution has significantly reduced agitation and wandering among dementia patients in nursing homes within Furesø Municipality. In 2023, Wavecare conducted a sensory project as part of a public-private innovation initiative with Furesø Municipality.

With up to 80-90% of nursing home residents affected by dementia, these homes are focused on finding methods to minimize purposeless wandering, anger, and agitation. The goal in Furesø Municipality was to find a solution that could create more calm for nursing home residents with dementia and provide staff with new tools for their care.

Development of a new sensory concept at Lillevang Nursing Home

In collaboration with staff at Lillevang Nursing Home, Wavecare developed and implemented a new sensory concept aimed at improving the well-being of all residents and staff. To be well-prepared for working with sensory stimulation in relation to the elderly and dementia, the staff were trained in how sensory technology can be incorporated into care.

The sensory concept includes light, nature scenes, and music designed to create a calming atmosphere. This solution has been integrated as an essential part of the residents’ common living room to provide calm throughout the day. In addition to the sensory solution in the common living room, 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.

Significant impact of Wavecare’s sensory project

The sensory project in Furesø Municipality has delivered positive results, as agreed upon by both leaders and staff.

Specifically, it has created calm for certain residents and among the staff. When the staff is calm, the residents are also calm. I am most surprised by the impact it has had on the staff. I am sure it has also played a role in reducing sick leave, says daily leader Majbritt Tillgreen Jensen.

The staff has also noticed a significant change since Wavecare was introduced at the nursing home: We can get the residents to calm down faster. I feel that all residents have benefited from it, including myself. It is a completely different atmosphere where one becomes more relaxed, says Anita Udengaard Thejl, Social and Health Care Assistant at Lillevang Nursing Home.

Expansion of experiences to other nursing homes in Furesø Municipality

Lars Carstensen (C), Chairman of the Committee for Elderly and Health in Furesø Municipality, believes this is a very positive step towards finding solutions that help dementia patients: In the project, we have seen experiences with residents who are less restless, who wander less, and who are less aggressive. It has created more calm. It provides better well-being for both residents and staff. If the positive effects continue, it will be exciting to use the solution in other nursing homes in the municipality, says Lars Carstensen.

Other departments at Lillevang Nursing Home are currently testing the mobile units. The collaboration with Wavecare will continue in the coming years, where Furesø Municipality will gather further experiences with the sensory solutions. The sensory project has also been nominated for the “Best Dementia Initiative of the Year 2023” in Furesø Municipality by the Dementia Alliance.

The collaboration with Lillevang Nursing Home has resulted in concrete improvements in the care environment and provided valuable insights into the nursing home environment and the physical settings. Wavecare has developed mobile sensory solutions for the residents’ homes and gained knowledge on effective use in both common areas and personal activities.