The De Bekelaar residential care centre in Lommel, Belgium, has embraced a transformative approach to dementia care with the opening of a Sense Garden, a virtual and multi-sensory space designed to stimulate the senses and create moments of connection for people living with dementia.

The Sense Garden is an innovative therapeutic environment developed through an AAL-funded project to enhance well-being and quality of life for people with dementia and their caregivers. By combining personal photos, videos, music, and scents linked to an individual’s life story, the Sense Garden creates immersive, customised experiences. These spaces activate the senses – sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste – reawakening emotional memories and fostering a sense of identity and belonging.

A new chapter at De Bekelaar

Thanks to a €7,500 donation from the North Limburg service club, Interservice, De Bekelaar has become the latest residential care centre to adopt this Sense Garden concept. The funding has enabled the creation of a space where residents can experience a virtual return to their past, supported by a carefully curated blend of sensory stimuli.

Director Tom Houthuys highlights the value of this approach: “We aim to honour and reflect the life stories of our residents with the help of their families,” he says. “The Sense Garden offers a peaceful and familiar setting, bringing memories to life through images, sounds, essential oils, and tactile experiences. Taste also plays a role, with recognisable cookies or drinks served to create moments of joy and pleasurable familiarity. This technology fosters warm and meaningful moments for residents and their loved ones.”

The De Bekelaar Sense Garden is an example of community-driven innovation. Legendary Belgian footballer Jean-Marie Pfaff has shared personal video highlights with the Sense Garden team to enhance the experience for sports-loving residents.

“We are thrilled to co-create better experiences for people with dementia and their families,” says Ronny Broekx, project manager of Sense Garden.

A path forward for dementia care

The addition of the Sense Garden at De Bekelaar underscores the importance of innovative, personalised care approaches for people with dementia. By connecting individuals to their past and to those around them, the Sense Garden strengthens bonds, invigorates identities, and brings moments of joy and peace to those navigating the challenges of dementia.

“As this project continues to grow, it serves as a testament to the power of technology and community collaboration in improving dementia care,” concludes Ronny Broekx.