A guide to improving wellbeing for patients, using holistic sensory care.

Sight

A calm environment is soothing for everyone. Although your loved one’s room may have a lot of equipment, we will try to clear as much unnecessary clutter as possible. This allows you and your loved ones to bring in pictures and drawings from grandchildren, which can bring comfort if others aren’t able to visit.

Glasses, contacts or hearing aids should be easily within reach. Digital photo frames are available in our trolley. Battery operated candles can also be used to create a calming atmosphere.

Sound

If it is important to you, we encourage you to bring in music and audio. Even if you become less well, you may still find comfort with sounds such as listening to someone reading or hearing audiobooks. We can also put together a personal musical playlist via the ‘Music for Meaning’ project.

Music often sparks conversation and memories. Reminiscing about happy times while sitting together can be helpful. We can also put up a ‘Quiet Time’ poster on your loved one’s room door to keep noise to a minimum.

Taste

‘Eating for pleasure’ focuses on the taste of favourite food and drinks, rather than the quantity consumed. Please speak to staff about what is right for your loved one each day so that you are aware of risks if they are sleepy or experiencing certain symptoms.

Regular mouth care can be supported with a favourite juice or drink, even if you have swallowing difficulties. Alcohol is welcomed in some wards, but check with staff first. Patients and their loved ones can bring in flavoured lip balms if not using oxygen.

Please speak to staff if you have a favourite food that we may be able to order.

Smell

Smell can create a sense of calm and freshen the room without the need to open a window. A favourite fragrance may also be used if this would bring comfort. We have air fresheners available and tumble dryer sheets can be placed in the room.

We can also make the room more comfortable by providing equipment to help absorb smells, if appropriate.

Touch

Touch can be a very powerful way to communicate. Using hand cream for light massage or simply holding a hand can bring immense comfort. We have staff trained in complementary therapies to support this.

Touch textures such as a soft blanket from home may be comforting for you. If you feel restless, we can offer some added texture comforts during your stay such as twiddlemuffs.

Pets are very important family members and a visit may be allowed after discussion with the ward manager or staff nurses. Alternative arrangements may be possible for a large pet.

Giving a hand massage:

• Let your body relax.
• Put a very small amount of hand lotion on your loved one’s hand.
• Take your loved one’s hand and place it in the palm of your own hand, palm up.
• Make a fist with your hand and massage the palm with your knuckles – very gently.
• Move back over the palm again, using the tips of your thumbs in small circle motions.
• Turn the hand over. Work the entire back of the hand with the tips of your thumbs.
• Move on an inch or two up onto the wrist.
• Do the fingers. Gently slide your thumb and forefinger slowly from the base to the top of each finger.
• Change hands and repeat the whole process.