Creating a Spiritual Sensory Box

Materials

1. The boxes could include:
   • The resident's prayer books
   • Novena book, bible or holy book
   • Prayer beads, rosary
   • Favorite small statues or other symbols of faith, prayer cards, religious holiday cards
   • Tapes of favorite spiritual music
   • Pictures or videotapes of church and family religious ceremonies such as baptisms, bar mitzvahs, weddings, first communions
2. Pictures from books depicting religious stories the resident would have learned as a child (Are often an aid to bringing back comforting memories to residents with dementia).
3. Cloth or clothing used for religious services such as a first Communion veil, a yarmulke, a piece of satin and lace from a wedding gown, a stuffed lamb, a cross, a prayer shawl bag, or incense could be meaningful to some residents.
4. For other residents: favorite seashells, moonstones, or other keepsakes that hold spiritual meaning could connect their memories to a past spiritual life.

Procedure

1. A chaplain, volunteer or family member can then take out the resident's spiritual sensory box and go through it with the resident during their visit.
2. A "Prayer Partner" may be assigned to visit a resident once a week. It is important to have the same person come every week in order to build a meaningful faith-sharing relationship with the resident.
3. The items in the box can be given to the resident and each one talked about or handled.
   • The resident can be asked what the article is or feels like.
   • A story can be told about the article with information from the history provided by the family.
   • The resident can be encouraged to add to the story as the visitor pauses to allow the resident to comment or gesture.
   • A tape from the box could be played and sung during the visit.
   • A favorite prayer could be said with the resident while holding hands, bowing heads, or raising hands in praise, in whatever manner seems to touch that particular resident.
   • Mirroring body posture and gestures in a reverent way sometimes helps people to connect with each other spiritually. A touch or caring glance is more important than words.
4. Forming a sharing relationship with the resident can lead the visitor to an understanding of who the resident is as a person now. The visitor should try to enter into the resident's world as much as possible. This can be done by observing the resident during the visit for clues to the resident's feelings and by noticing the repetitive gestures the resident displays that seem to give her comfort. (Does the constant stroking of an arm remind a female resident of the baby she used to hold; or remind a male resident of a favorite animal he used to pet?)
5. Accepting the resident as he is now is a great gift to the resident. When the resident becomes comfortable with the visitor she may wish to reach out to touch the visitor in a way that is meaningful to the resident. Accepting the resident's touch and acknowledging it as a gift validates the resident's feelings. The caring attitude of the visitor triggers other caring memories and feelings from the resident's past. This helps the resident to regain the sense of support and security felt in the past when sharing spiritually with others.
6. Feelings of sadness, fear, frustration, and grief can be resolved by listening and demonstrating concern for the resident's feelings during these faith-sharing times. Moments of joy and hope can also be shared as residents are helped to do something they do well: sing songs, join in prayers, or respond to familiar passages stored in the long term memory of their youth. The resident attains a sense of competence and regains the strength and hope of past spirituality when able to sing and pray with others: the songs and prayers lost to him/her when alone.