RiverView Clinic East Grand Forks is now the third Rehab Services location in the country to offer a Multi-Sensory Environment (MSE), for its patients.
Marissa Jevne is an occupational therapy assistant in East Grand Forks. She shared that multi-sensory spaces stimulate the senses. The space creates an atmosphere of calm that reduces anxiety, agitation, stress, and many other symptoms. The MSE uses visual, auditory and tactile stimulation to help with relaxation factors.
The space should be able to accommodate patient needs. The space can be set up to provide stimulation and alertness for patients who require it. The MSE can be adjusted to provide a calm environment for patients who need it to have a more productive therapy session.
The room is accessible to patients of all ages, abilities, and especially those who have trouble with self-regulation such as being alert during therapy or staying calm during it.
The new MSE uses bubble tubes, fiber optics and a beanbag chair. It also includes room-darkening blinds and a beanbag chair. RiverViews Rehab Services locations at Crookston and Red Lake Falls offer similar multi-sensory environments. Plans are underway to add a MSE to the Fertile Rehab Services location, which opened in Fall 2021.
Crystal Maruska, Director, Rehab Services, stated that patients enjoy these environments and are better prepared for therapy.
Funding from the Dancing in the Sky Fund, which is administered by the Jim Ingeman family through the RiverView Foundation, makes it possible to create therapeutic and fun environments.
Maruska shared that they are grateful for the funding to support RiverView therapy patients at all locations. We are able provide more sensory experiences to our patients as they achieve their goals with this funding.
For more information on RiverViews multisensory environments, please call 218-281-9460
