Ad Verheul
Centre De Hartenberg, Netherlands
Keynote: J Neurol Neurophysiol
Main philosophy and history of Snoezelen/Multi-Sensory Environment. Snoezelen/Multi-Sensory Environment in several research studies has shown the positive effectiveness of the method with patients who have dementia. The practice of Snoezelen in the care for people with dementia and some results of scientific research on the effects of Snoezelen. The integration of the concept of Snoezelen/Multi-Sensory Environment in the daily care of nursing homes. From recent study, Snoezelen/ Multi-Sensory Environment has proven to be effective in decreasing the amount of disruptive and aggressive behaviors among individuals with Alzheimer�s disease. With a decrease in such disruptive behaviors and a reduction of medications, the caregivers will be more able to appropriately care for their loved ones at home and within the community. In conclusion these results point out that Snoezelen/Multi-Sensory Environment has also positive effects on the quality or working life of staff members in psychogeriatric care.
Ad Verheul has been working at De Hartenberg, a centre for people with severe profound mental disabilities, since 1973. The centre is part of ´s Heeren Loo Zorggroep, a leading Dutch organisation in mental healthcare. He started as a therapist and in 1974 he and his colleague Jan Hulsegge, a music therapist, defined the concept of Snoezelen. Since 1980 Ad Verheul has been the organiser and main spokesman of seminars on the subject of Snoezelen worldwide. Currently Ad Verheul is retired and before his retirement he acts as senior advisor for special projects. He organises seminars and courses in Snoezelen and special activities for people with severe profound mental disabilities at the centre De Hartenberg in the Netherlands and in many other countries. At this moment he act as board member of the international Snoezelen- Multisensory Environment Association ( ISNA-MSE, www.isna-mse.org ) The ISNA has members in 45 countries and research contacts with 22 universities worldwide.
Email: a.verheul2@chello.nl
