How to Make a Sensory Room for People Living with Dementia

A recent publication, how to make a sensory room for people living with dementia, has highlighted the importance of creating the right sensory environment that works well for the people using it. It covers the current state of feelings and thoughts to sensory rooms throughout the UK and offers some great advice on how to make them work better for people with dementia and their carers to work with.    
    
The guide book is written by Dr Anke Jakob, from the university of Kings London and Dr Lesley Collier, from the university of Southampton and was presented at the recent Inside Out festival in London. It highlights the benefits a sensory environment can have, stating that 'residents in the later stages of dementia show positive changes in mood and behavior.' Aiding residents through a sensory based interactive experience could really be the stimulation they need to relax the effects of dementia. Carers who look after people with dementia can also reap the benefits of making their job less stressful and more enjoyable when working in a sensory room.       
    
Adding a modern touch to a sensory room can be harder than it looks and working closely with specialists who have many years of experience will benefit with a stress free process of choosing the right equipment. At Apollo Creative we have built many bespoke sensory rooms for a variety of institutes and establishments providing a positive influence and calming experience for people with dementia and their carers to work with. If you have an outdated sensory room or looking to build one from scratch feel free to get in touch to discuss with us your project or idea.

Link to the guide book: Click Here 

The Waterless LED Tube, an amazing new way to stimulate your senses

The New Waterless LED Tube

Our electronic design team have been very busy this past month creating a waterless LED tube for Apollo Creative. From concept to design to manufacture the team has put a lot of thought and passion into creating a beneficial product to relax and stimulate the senses. Tom, who designed the electronics for the waterless LED tube says, “I really enjoyed working on this project and I'm very happy with the final result, I hope to see it used in as many ways as possible!”
    
Even though Apollo Creative supply water treatment fluid that can counteract the risk of legionnaires disease, some people may prefer to do without water completely. In these situations the waterless LED tube is perfect as it's lights offer a calming, relaxing and stress-free atmosphere ideal for people who need to actively stimulate their senses. It works perfectly in any sensory room with the added benefit of not having to change any water. With its clean modern finish we're really excited to see how we can integrate the waterless LED tube into sensory rooms, exhibitions, retail and beyond. 

Interactive light, sound, and sensory room

It's not often that we write about individual jobs but a recent installation in London seemed worthy.

When we were contacted back in June, Preston Manor Lower School were looking for a "high tech projector system" for their growing number of autistic children. The room had to remain as a part-time functioning classroom so the soft play padding that you'd usually find in a sensory room couldn't be included, and any pieces of equipment had to be as unobtrusive as possible. This meant that the traditional bubble tube was swapped with a bubble wall, and coloured spotlights replaced with LED strips to provide a colourful wash over the walls.

With only two days to provide a quotation, we promoted a system based on the strength of our Ensemble interactive sensory room controller. It was the combination of wireless sensors and Xbox controllers that caught the eye of the school, and the design of the space was best described as a cross between an interactive light and sound room, and a multi sensory room.

When visiting later in the year I took a few photos for our records, but we were able to use them to mock up what the room would look like. It turned out nicer than a 3D CAD drawing as it's easier for everyone to visualise, including the clutter!

Visualisation of the Preston Manor School interactive light, sound, and sensory room.

While plans had to change due to the location of the newly installed projector, the overall effect was just as we'd hoped. By moving the LED lighting to face upwards the entire room now changes colour, rather than just the walls.

The finished interactive light, sound, and sensory room

As many cables as possible were kept in the existing trunking, and special faceplates were installed to handle the connections from the computer. The result is a very neat finish, one that can easily fulfil both uses of the classroom, and one that we're proud of.

Multi sensory packages on a budget from Apollo Creative

Not only is money tight at the moment, but space can be also. Add those two together and the prospect of a multi sensory room can feel a very long way away indeed.

It's for this reason that we've got a number of sensory packages. Simple bits of equipment which when added together can give the multi sensory feel. Some are also designed to be movable so if suddenly your circumstances change, the equipment can adapt with you.

If you've only got a spare corner, one of the best ways to make the most of it is by using mirrors. Mirrors make any space feel bigger, and also enhance the effect of coloured lighting. Anyone can put together our Mirrored Bubble Tube Corner making it easy for you to do yourself, another cost saver.

No matter how big or small your space might be, there's always something that you can do with it. Get in touch with us to find out how we can help.

New KidsOut Sensory Room - Frenchay Hospital

Today we installed a second Portable Sensory Room for KidsOut. Based on the prototype, currently based in a school in Reading, this unit features some changes based on feedback.

Featuring a bubble tube, fibre optics, colour changes lighting, star cloth, projector and sound system, the space will be used by children on the Barbara Rusell Ward whilst there is no school.

The unit will be based in the school room at Frenchay Hospital over the Summer, before being moved to a new venue in september.

Sensory Room at York University

Today I was working in the Multi-Sensory Room at the Department of Health Sciences at the University of York. This is a room used for training and research, forming part of the 'mock ward' in the building.

Apollo is working with the Department to upgrade the room and provide training to staff on the use of this flexible resource.

University of York Sensory Room

Together with our colleagues at Camel Event Production, we today upgraded the multisensory room in the Health Sciences department at the University of York. The changes make it easier for the users to control the various lighting effects.

This work is part of Apollo's direct engagement with end-users and collaboration with research projects.