ABSTRACT

Objective : This study aimed to evaluate the effects of multisensory (Snoezelen) environments on the problem behaviors and burden of care in persons with dementia.Methods : Six persons with moderate to severe dementia and significant problem behaviors, received 8 weeks of multisensory environments program. The Neuropsychiatric Inventory was employed in the pretest and posttest. Analysis was performed using SPSS and including Wilcoxon signed rank test.Results : Participants's average problem behavior scores decreased from 57 in the pretest to 37 after multisensory environments program. Mean scores of burden of care decreased from 27 to 19.Conclusion : Multisensory environments can be an effective method to decrease problem behaviors and burden of care for older people with dementia.