Seasonal Features Bring the Outside in at Regis Woodlands

A huge tree decal is forming a new sensory experience aimed at enriching the lives of seniors living with dementia at popular aged care home Regis Woodlands.

The new installation has been created by the home’s Lifestyle team, headed by Jacqueline Salgado, Regis’s Lifestyle Coordinator, who have long had a focus on best practice dementia care, and ways in which it can improve outcomes for residents living with the common condition.

Krupa Shah, General Manager of Regis Woodlands, says for people living with a cognitive or physical disability, sensory experiences play an essential role in daily living and research has shown that multi-sensory environments can be beneficial for elderly people with sensory impairment and cognitive limitations.

“We not only wanted to create a calming, tactile experience for our residents, but also provide them with a visual opportunity to witness the changing seasons within their own home, represented by leaves falling off the tree in the autumn months, bare branches in winter, new buds in spring and green leaves and blossom in summer,” she explains.

“As people’s cognitive ability declines with dementia and memory fades, what remains are sensations to the environment and so our residents can benefit from a variety of sensory stimuli, including touch sensations which can also promote concentration and alertness.

“What’s more, our tree is also a very peaceful installation, something that is important in relieving any anxiety or stress amongst our residents, while helping them to have the opportunity to engage and discuss their thoughts and memories about the changing seasons with their family and our employees.”

“We’re very excited about the project and the positive outcomes we have already observed. Our Lifestyle and Care teams are committed to ensuring our residents get to fully enjoy the experience of touching the leaves and seeing colours change, and then regrowth begin as the seasons move forward.”

As part of the experience, essential oils are used on the flowers to further stimulate the residents’ senses and add an additional element of delight and joy.

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Regis offers a diverse range of care options including residential aged care, home care, retirement living, day therapy and day respite. Regis is one of the largest providers of aged care in Australia and cares for more than 7,000 residents each year.