Background: Dementia is a degenerative neurological disorder that afflicts a growing proportion of the global population. Complementary alternative medicine (CAM) modalities are under investigation for their therapeutic value in the management of dementia. Purpose: Nursing care of dementia sufferers can include managing agitation and negative behaviors; this study investigates staff appraisal of the Multi-Sensory Stimulation Environment (MSSE) as an intervention for these nursing challenges. Methods: A purposive sample of nursing staff employed in residential care for dementia patients were recruited 10 weeks after the initiation of an open-access MSSE at the facility to complete a confidential self-administered questionnaire. Results: 79% of potential participants returned completed surveys for a total sample of n = 23. 70% of survey respondents felt that residents were utilizing the MSSE "Somewhat Frequently" or "Very Frequently." 77% of the staff felt the MSSE should continue in use at the facility or continue with some alterations. The sample suggested that the MSSE is helpful for mood, specifically anger, sadness, anxiety, and restlessness, but not for boredom. Higher-scoring items in favor of the MSSE intervention included confusion, perseverating, wandering, and interpersonal conflict. Conclusion: Several components of agitation and negative behavior in the dementia population appear to be improved with the use of an MSSE according to this sample. Further research is needed to support the results of this sample and to explore more detailed recommendations regarding the use of MSSE in dementia care.

One of every 166 children born today could be diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) (CDC 2006). Growing bodies of evidence show sensory integration issues may be at the root of many of the symptoms children with ASD exhibit. Sensory integration is defined as the ability to feel, understand, and organize sensory information from the body and environment. The issues surrounding sensory integration are reflected in both hypersensitive and hyposensitive reactions by children with ASD to the vestibular, proprioception, visual, audio, tactile, and olfactory senses.The goal of this paper is to address the sensory integration issues of children with ASD by creating a sensory garden which would allow them to focus on therapeutic and diagnostic interventions. By using the principles and elements of design, guidelines for this garden focused on producing calming effects for hyper reactive children with ASD and stimulating effects for hypo reactions.

Within dementia care, there is a need to facilitate appropriate sensory experiences and opportunities for meaningful engagement for people living with dementia, particularly in later stages. As such, the provision of multisensory environments designed to meet the needs of these individuals and offering suitable occupation and stimulation, have increasingly gained significance. In this context, this paper explores the meaning of experience-focused, sensory design and the importance of appropriate sensory stimulation for wellbeing. It refers to recent interdisciplinary research in this area and a new guide advising on design of sensory enhanced spaces in residential dementia care. The primary focus of the paper is a case study showcasing the implementation of sensory design, based on these guidelines. The case study reports on the co-creation of a sensory, experience-focused space for residents with dementia in a London care-home. Based on this example, the paper highlights the value and impact of appropriate sensory design on the wellbeing of people with dementia and their carers. The conclusion discusses the learning and knowledge gained from this process as well as perspectives on further research activities including the analysis of user feedback and evaluation of the design intervention.