The Zen Room/Sensory Room

The Zen Room

The Zen Room is a new outlet for the center to support its most vulnerable participants, those with Alzheimer’s, Dementia, Autism, and other sensory challenges.

“Zen means peace, rest, and tranquility — these words resonate with us at Edwards and that’s what we want our participants to experience when they visit the Zen Room". We tailor each visit to our participants. We know what works for one doesn’t work for all. We also have fidgets (toys) and other tactile objects they can use while sitting, and we pay close attention to how they respond to certain experiences within the room.”

To better serve participants who utilize the sensory room, we've sent home questionnaires to caregivers inquiring about their favorite songs and other activities that put them at ease. “The Zen Room is a carefully curated environment that empowers individuals to engage with their senses in a controlled and supportive setting.”

Za’Tasia Wells, the sensory coordinator, sees firsthand how the sensory room improves the lives and experiences of participants. We’ve found that many times, one-on-one interactions are better for participants who have dementia and other challenges,” Wells said. “We spend about 20 to 25 minutes in the room with music, quiet time, or talking sessions. We chart on all participants using the room, so we get a sense of how they interact with things like ocean and rain sounds, what songs they like, and other stimuli they respond to.