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Post No67...Using video technology to help relax people living with dementia

Posted on 12th March 2025 at 07:00
 
Introduction 
 
As The Care Whisperer grows, we are working with more and more professionals to bring information to carers who are caring / living with people who have dementia. This collaboration between us and RemConex Ltd discusses ways video technology and AI can help those who are living with dementia to feel relaxed and less anxious, including during times of sundowning. 
 
Sensory Stimulation Editorial - Written by Scott Williamson, Owner of RemConex Ltd 
 
In the ever-changing and often demanding environment of residential and nursing care homes, prioritising the well-being of residents is paramount. As care providers, it is imperative to explore innovative methods to enhance the quality of life for those in care, especially individuals living with cognitive impairments such as dementia.  
 
One highly impactful method embraced in recent years is sensory stimulation, a comprehensive approach that enhances physical, emotional, and cognitive well-being. With the integration of advanced AI technology, newer technologies such as personalised, relaxing music videos breathe new life into old black-and-white photos by colourising them, accompanied by soothing music, captivating landscape visuals, and cherished family photos or video messages. 
 
Diverse Forms of Sensory Experiences 
 
There are many ways to incorporate sensory experiences into daily care, each offering unique benefits for residents: 
 
Visual Stimulation: Personalised relaxing music videos use serene, natural landscapes and family memories to captivate residents' visual senses. These familiar images, paired with scenic backdrops, evoke positive emotions and comfort. Advanced technologies, such as AI-powered colourisation of old black-and-white photos, bring memories of the past to life, enriching the experience further by reconnecting residents with their personal history. 
 
Auditory Stimulation: The choice of music in these videos is key. Rather than familiar music that may evoke specific emotions or memories, soothing and non-intrusive sounds are purposefully chosen to enhance deep relaxation and open the senses to help immerse themselves in the visuals and relax without the distraction of nostalgia, allowing for a more profound sensory experience. 
 
Tactile Stimulation: Personalised videos can be paired with tactile activities to further engage residents. Watching these calming visuals while interacting with textured objects, fidget blankets, or engaging in simple activities like handling soft fabrics can provide enhanced comfort and sensory richness. 
Olfactory Stimulation: While videos alone do not engage the sense of smell, pairing them with aromatherapy sessions, using calming scents like lavender or invigorating fragrances like citrus, can amplify the relaxation experience, making it more immersive and holistic. 
 
Gustatory Stimulation: Taste experiences can also complement sensory videos. For example, while watching personalised landscapes or family-themed videos, residents can engage in taste sessions, trying familiar and comforting flavours, adding another dimension to the sensory experience. 
 
The Benefits of Sensory Stimulation 
 
The implementation of sensory stimulation has wide-reaching benefits that can positively impact residents' emotional, psychological, and physical health. Regular sensory activities offer the following advantages: 
 
Reduction in Agitation and Restlessness: Especially for residents with dementia, these videos create a sense of familiarity and calm, reducing anxiety and behavioural issues. 
 
Improved Cognitive Function: Engaging residents’ brains through visual and auditory stimuli helps maintain and, in some cases, improve cognitive abilities, providing meaningful engagement. 
 
Enhanced Communication: Residents who struggle with verbal communication often respond emotionally or cognitively to visual and auditory cues. Personalised videos offer alternative ways for residents to express themselves, facilitating greater interaction. 
 
Increased Social Interaction: When shared in group settings, these videos encourage social engagement, helping reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness. 
 
Sensory Stimulation for those living with dementia 
 
For those living with dementia, sensory stimulation plays a particularly important role in their care. Personalised videos offer structure, evoke memories, and facilitate moments of connection between residents and caregivers or family members. Combining these videos with other sensory activities, such as memory boxes filled with personal items, can deepen the experience, triggering memories 
and meaningful conversation. 
 
Creating Sensory Rooms in Care Homes 
 
Many care homes have found success in creating dedicated sensory rooms. Personalised relaxing music videos are ideal for use in these spaces, where they can be combined with soft lighting, calming scents, and tactile objects to offer a fully immersive environment. These sensory rooms provide a tranquil retreat for residents, allowing them to engage multiple senses in a way that is soothing and beneficial. 
 
The Power of Visual Landscapes for Sensory Stimulation 
 
Visual landscapes, such as nature scenes, are an invaluable tool for sensory stimulation. For residents who may no longer be able to experience the outdoors first hand, these videos offer a powerful connection to the natural world. Scenes of oceans, forests, or mountain views have been shown to reduce anxiety, alleviate stress, and promote mental well-being. The immersive quality of these visuals, when combined with soothing music, provides a window to the outside world, offering comfort and emotional enrichment for residents who may feel disconnected from nature. 
 
AI Transforming Resident Care 
 
The integration of AI into sensory stimulation is revolutionising how care homes approach resident well-being. AI technologies, such as the colourisation of old photographs, help residents reconnect with their past in vivid detail. These enhanced visuals, combined with calming music and personal video messages from loved ones, create a multi-sensory experience that reduces anxiety and promotes emotional well-being. This innovative use of AI not only improves the sensory experience but also strengthens cognitive function, making it an essential tool in modern care homes. 
 
The Value of Photos and Video Messages from Loved Ones 
 
Incorporating photos and video messages from loved ones adds an emotional layer to sensory stimulation. Seeing familiar faces and hearing the voices of family members triggers emotional recognition, which can provide comfort and reduce anxiety, especially for those experiencing memory loss. This personalised approach creates meaningful connections, stimulating both visual and auditory pathways and offering moments of joy and clarity for residents.  
 
Moreover, video messages combat feelings of loneliness and isolation. Residents feel a stronger sense of belonging and connection to their loved ones, even if they cannot be physically present. This can significantly enhance their overall well-being, contributing to a more enriching care environment. 
 
Sensory Therapy also helps caregivers 
 
Sensory therapy, particularly 30-minute video experiences, serves as a versatile tool for structured activities. With the ability to loop the videos for longer experiences, caregivers can find moments of respite while enhancing the well-being of residents. Creating a calm and engaged environment through sensory videos can improve the caregiving experience and reduce caregiver burnout. 
 
Conclusion 
 
The integration of sensory stimulation, particularly through personalised AI-enhanced relaxing music videos, introduces a ground breaking approach to enriching the lives of care home residents. These videos engage multiple senses offering a comprehensive experience that uplifts both residents and caregivers. For those with cognitive impairments like dementia, such videos evoke memories,alleviate anxiety, and strengthen emotional bonds. 
 
Launching in March 2025, RemConex is purpose-built to address these needs. Advanced AI features, such as the colourisation of old photographs, paired with tranquil landscapes, calming music, and personal messages, will create a uniquely meaningful and personalised sensory experience. By incorporating these videos into sensory rooms and structured activities, care homes can improve physical and emotional well-being among residents while equipping caregivers with an effective tool to promote calm and connection. 
 
As the challenges in residential care evolve, RemConex emerges as a timely solution that will empower care providers to enhance the quality of life for their residents. This innovative platform sets a new benchmark in sensory therapy, redefining care standards and ensuring a more supportive and fulfilling environment for all. 
 
Gravity Weighted Blanket with Cover
£165.00

Hand sewn in Europe, this high quality Gravity weighted blanket (with cover) is designed to help older people, including those living with dementia, to relax, feel calm, and get a better nights sleep.

The blanket insert has an insulating layer built in and you can now buy it as a set with 4 colours newly available for the cover, which is made from 100% sustainably sourced cotton on both sides. The breathable cover is hand sewn to the perfect size, providing warmth and comfort along with the positive effects of the weighted insert. The material has a European safety certification (Oeko-Tex Standard 100).

The weighted insert is connected to the cover with loops and ties. Please note the colours in the photo's are in the same order as they are listed in the drop down box.

Size:
Weight:
Colour:
Quantity:

This weighted blanket is filled with high-quality glass microbeads closed in small pockets, which evenly distributes the weight across the body. The therapeutic weight promotes
the release of the sleep hormone melatonin, helping you to get to sleep faster and for longer.

The weight also provides a pleasant and nurturing sense of well-being, with the evenly distributed pressure helping you to peacefully fall asleep or sit quietly and relax on the couch. It helps alleviate anxiety and intrusive thoughts, calming the body and ensuring a restful night's sleep.

Thanks to the pleasant pressure, the body calms down more quickly and can enter the deep sleep phase. Importantly, their use does not lead to side effects like those associated with pharmacological treatments. In fact, 97% of our customers can’t imagine sleeping without a weighted blanket!

The deep pressure created by the therapeutic weight of our blankets relaxes joints, muscles and tendons. This effect is also known as “Deep Pressure Stimulation” because of its gentle but potent and even pressure that is applied to the body. This helps you relax both physically and mentally. In addition, it causes the release of the serotonin hormone, and at the same time lowers the level of cortisol (the stress hormone).

Breathable Cover

The cover is made from 100% cotton on both sides, providing better sleeping comfort during warmer nights. It is attached to the insert using 12 loops.

Cotton Layer

The insert of the blanket is quilted and finished on both sides with 100% cotton.

Insulating Layer

An additional warming layer made from a blend of standard polyester fibres and thermoplastic LMF.

Weight Layer

The primary weight of the blanket consists of glass microbeads, which are evenly distributed in special pockets. The gentle movement of the beads within the pockets allows the blanket to better conform to the user.

Sustainability

The Gravity weighted blanket is made exclusively in Europe, the cotton used is certified and comes from sustainable
plantations. The tiny glass balls inside the blankets are manufactured in Europe in a perfectly safe environment.

Getting the correct weight is important because it ensures the benefits of the blanket are provided but also comfort and safety as well, particularly in children or older adults.

Which weight is best for me?

It is suggested that users of weighted blankets chose a weight that is 10% of their body weight. For older or more frail people, you can consider reducing the weight by perhaps 1kg or 2kg. For example, if 10% of your body weight = 6kg, you might want to consider a 5kg or 4kg blanket. Please see more info in the table below.

Weight Blanket Weight Reduced Weight for Frailties
30-49kg 4kg 3kg
50-69kg 6gk 4-5kg
70-89kg 8kg 6-7kg
90-109kg 10kg 8-9kg
110+kg 12kg 10-11kg

The recommended weight of the blanket is about 10% of the user’s body weight. However, if you experience discomfort during the initial phase of using the blanket, follow these guidelines to help adjust to the weight:

Days 1-3 - 15 minutes per day
Days 4-10 - 1 hour per day
Days 11-20 - 2 hours per day
Day 21 and beyond - the entire night

The effects of using a weighted blanket depend on the individual characteristics of your body, so the differences may be felt at varying rates. In some cases, the first positive effects may be noticeable within a few days, but this time frame can extend to several weeks.

It is important to note that certain health conditions may prevent older people using weighted blankets. If you have a health condition such as one of those listed below, please consult with your doctor before trialling a weighted blanket:

  • Asthma
  • Vascular dementia
  • Osteoporosis (bone fragility)
  • Cardiovascular conditions (e.g., individuals with a pacemaker)
  • Respiratory system disorders
  • Hypertension
  • Obstructive sleep apnea

If you feel unsure about you or a loved one using a weighted blanket, you may be able to use a Lap Blanket.

All of our weighted blankets and pillows are hand sewn to order before being shipped for delivery to our customers. We aim to fulfil all of our orders within 10 business days.

We will provide you with a tracking number, and will always be available to speak with you should you experience any delays or issues with our service.

If you need to return one of our blankets, please contact us within 14 days of delivery to initiate a full refund. Kindly note we can only refund blankets that are not damaged in any way.

This product is covered by a one-year manufacturers warranty. If the product is faulty please return it to us for either repair or replacement, depending on the issue or defect.

Both the cover and the weighted insert can be easily washed in the washing machine. We recommend that you wash the Gravity blanket cover at a temperature not exceeding 40°C, and the Gravity blanket insert at a maximum temperature of 30°C, both on a low spin cycle.

Both the cover and the insert should not be tumble dried. After washing, hang up or spread out and leave until dry.

Do not iron the blanket.

Tagged as: Carers, Dementia Care, Dementia Care Homes
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