Maria-Ann Levey, a qualified Aromatherapist and Qigong instructor recently visited Park Avenue Care Home in Bromley to host a multisensory session with the people who live there.
Multisensory sessions have a profoundly positive impact on care home residents in different ways. The scents can help people to relax and forget about the world around them, whilst they are also powerful for reminiscence as they can transport a person back to a time or place and bring back fond memories. Maria’s main aim from the sessions she hosts is to improve a person’s quality of life by offering engaging experiences and sharing her wisdom about the body, mind, and spirit.
During her visit to Park Avenue, Maria began by visiting people in their bedrooms and the communal areas. Maria had her ‘magic basket’ with her, containing all sorts of sensory items and began to ask people if they would like a one-to-one session with her. Residents were keen to get involved and see what was inside her basket, so Maria began hosting individual sessions with each resident. You could see the scents were having a positive impact on residents and some could immediately link the scent to an item. Some people said the scented oils smelled like flowers whilst Irene was able to recall particular memories when she smelled the Ho Wood scent. Maria then began to tell Irene about the benefits of Ho Wood, which include soothing the mind and body, calming agitation, and being a powerful antibacterial.
When visiting another care suite, Maria sat with two ladies who were spending time in a communal area and offered them a range of scents to smell. The first set of oils didn’t have much of an impact, so Maria chose eucalyptus, which was certainly more powerful and reminded the ladies of their mothers rubbing Vicks on their chests when they were unwell.
Maria finds that during her visits to care homes, just carrying her basket around can inspire conversation as people are naturally curious about what is inside it. This can then lead to meaningful, unplanned interactions that have a hugely positive impact on the person.
Maria’s multisensory session was a huge success at Park Avenue Care Home. Not only were some meaningful memories recalled, but some wonderful friendships were made too.