title: Exploring Sensory Experiences and Personalization in an Inpatient Residential Hospice Setting.
abstract: Residential hospices are often purpose-built to enhance the experience of patients and families. However, there has been relatively little research on ambient and sensory experiences of patients and families. This study explored the ambient and sensory experience of residents and families in a residential hospice. Hospice users participated in personalizing environments and experiences, adapting and developing rituals, and enjoying the experience (including smells and sounds) of communal spaces and private rooms. Opportunity for developing new rituals, in particular, suggests an environment supportive of sense of control, social support, and positive distractors. The design of an inpatient hospice can offer a platform through which to support the delivery of flexible care practices, providing opportunities for personal expression, shared experiences, and the maintenance or development of rituals.
authors.affiliation: Strategic Planning & Policy Development Division, Alberta Health, Edmonton, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Oksana K
authors.initials: OK
authors.lastname: Niedzielski
authors.affiliation: Department of Supportive Care, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Gary
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rodin
authors.affiliation: Hospice Care, Kensington Hospice, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Debbie
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Emmerson
authors.affiliation: Ambient Experience Lab, Faculty of Design, OCADU, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Job
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rutgers
authors.affiliation: Envision Health, Faculty of Design, OCADU, Toronto, Ontario, Canada ksellen@faculty.ocadu.ca.
authors.forename: Katherine M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Sellen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004777:Environment; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006738:Hospices / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000523:psychology*; D007374:Interior Design and Furnishings; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology; D036301:Qualitative Research
keywords: ambient; care practices; design; hospice; nonpharmacological care; personalization; ritual; sensory