Kerikeri Retirement Village has taken delivery of a sensory chair that will help calm, soothe and comfort residents in its care unit, particularly dementia patients.
The Village is believed to be the first aged-care facility in New Zealand to provide the equipment, more properly known as a Wellness Nordic Relax Chair, for its residents
The $18,000 chair delivers tactile stimulation, such as deep pressure and soft vibration, for better, more relaxing sleep and to boost feelings of calmness and security. It can also rock gently, helping to reduce physical discomfort and mental conditions such as anxiety, agitation and depression.
It was purchased after a mammoth community fund-raising effort led by departing clinical manager Jan Bennenbroek and comprising takings from the annual Village Fete, and generous donations from Village residents, their families and members of the Kerikeri community.
“We are thrilled to be able at last to make this important rehabilitation resource available to our residents and want to thank everyone for helping us make this happen. The generosity of this community continues to amaze me,” said Village chief executive Hilary Sumpter.
Here Mrs Bennenbroek tries out the chair with the aid of registered nurse Rintu Yohannan (right) and healthcare assistant Shirley Ligget.
