Noise
Noise can be described as sound that is loud or disturbing and generally undesired. It can be from external sources such as traffic from a nearby road, leaking taps, rattling of pots in the kitchen or air conditioning units. In shared and staffed living spaces there may also be the added noise from care workers as well as trolleys rolling by, the sound of a television, or alarm calls.
Different people have different tolerances for noise and what may disturb them. However loud or persistent noise may be particularly over stimulating and disturbing for someone living with dementia which can trigger experiences of ill being.
Some noise can be reduced with a person-centred staffing approach and changes can be made to the built environment itself.
Reducing external noise:
Different people have different tolerances for noise and what may disturb them. However loud or persistent noise may be particularly over stimulating and disturbing for someone living with dementia which can trigger experiences of ill being.
Some noise can be reduced with a person-centred staffing approach and changes can be made to the built environment itself.
Reducing external noise:
- Reduce external noise disturbances by using double glazing on external windows. This soundproofing has the added benefit of improving thermal comfort indoors.
- Consider careful placement area of air conditioning units outside.
Reducing interior noises:
- Acoustic ceiling tiles can be installed to absorb sound within the interior (choose simplistic designs, similar colour to the ceiling or whole ceiling panels to reduce potential feelings of ‘objects falling’ from a height).
- Soft furnishings such as floor carpeting and textured wall hangings absorb noise and so can improve the acoustics in a space.
- Switch unnecessary appliances off. For example switch the television off when not in use or change the assistance call to a pager system rather than an audible unit alarm.
- Separate quiet areas from busy communal areas and care-workers areas.
- Ensure there are a range of different spaces for interaction and socialisation, so that people have the choice of talking and being noisy if they want to, or alternatively, being able to sit alone in peace and quiet.
- Carry out noise audits. Spend a few minutes regularly listening to the noises being created where the person with dementia spends time, and see if can you identify unwanted noise.
Positive sound
Noise can result in over-stimulation. However, sounds of the appropriate type and level can act as positive stimulus.
Introduce positive sound to a space:
Introduce positive sound to a space:
- Open the windows to the garden to enhance the sound of birds from outside, of the wind rustling through the trees, of a water feature in the garden and so on. Nature is a rich source of sensory stimulation.
- A person may enjoy hearing music from their youth or a special time in their life, so turn the radio on to their favourite station, play a CD, or use an iPod to create a favourite playlist for them.
- Sounds also act as sensory cues or prompts. They can be prompts for the time of day, such as the chiming of a clock every hour. They can also be memory prompts, for example the sound of a kettle whistling indicates that the kettle is on the stove and has finished boiling the water.
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