Shattering Barriers to Healthcare: Quiet Corners, Calming Care

The Power of Sensory-Friendly Design in Healthcare Environments

Imagine needing healthcare but feeling anxious about the experience. For example, bright lights, loud noises, and a bustling environment might trigger sensory overload, making it difficult to relax and communicate effectively. This is a reality for many people, including veterans with PTSD, autistic individuals, and those with other sensory sensitivities or sensory overload. Fortunately, facilities can take steps to become more welcoming and inclusive by creating sensory-friendly spaces by removing common sensory barriers to healthcare.

What are Barriers to Healthcare?

Barriers to healthcare are obstacles that prevent people from seeking or receiving necessary medical care. Moreover, these barriers can be financial, logistical, or even environmental. In particular, for individuals with sensory sensitivities, the very environment of a healthcare facility can be a deterrent. For instance, harsh lighting, loud noises, strong smells, and crowded waiting rooms can all contribute to sensory overload, leading to anxiety, frustration, and withdrawal from care.

Sensory Sensitivity and the Importance of DEI in Healthcare

Sensory sensitivity describes a heightened or diminished response to sensory stimuli like light, sound, touch, taste, and smell. This can be a challenge for people with autism, PTSD, anxiety, dementia, and other conditions. However, sensory sensitivity is not limited to any one demographic. Furthermore, it’s important to remember that sensory experiences can vary across the lifespan, and some individuals may experience temporary or permanent sensitivity.

Importantly, creating sensory-friendly spaces aligns with the principles of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in healthcare. And, a more inclusive healthcare environment ensures that everyone, regardless of sensory needs, feels comfortable accessing the care they deserve.

A Case Study: Transforming a Veteran Interview Room

Many years ago, our Founder and CEO of Sensory Friendly Solutions, collaborated on a project to transform a veteran interview room into a sensory-friendly space. This room would be used for veteran interviews, meetings about healthcare services, and benefit discussions. Critically, the goal was to create a welcoming environment that catered to veterans of all ages, abilities, and sensory needs.

Key Considerations:

• Veterans with PTSD: Creating a calm and predictable environment is crucial for veterans with PTSD who may be sensitive to noise and sudden changes.
• Accessibility for All: The space needed to be accessible for veterans with mobility limitations, hearing loss, and visual impairments. It also needed to accommodate family members, including young children or an older adult spouse.
• Comfort for Staff and Veterans: The room should be comfortable for both veterans and staff who would be conducting interviews and meetings.
• Safety: Adhering to all safety guidelines and regulations was paramount.

Designing a Sensory-Friendly Interview Room:

The transformation focused on several key areas to address potential sensory sensitivities:

• Seating: A combination of a love seat and individual upholstered chairs offered veterans a choice in seating arrangements. This caters to those who prefer to sit independently or those who might feel more comfortable next to a spouse, partner, or caregiver. Spacing between chairs allowed for clear communication and easy movement for veterans with mobility limitations.
• Décor: Cool tones of aqua blue and greys created a calming atmosphere. Simple décor with ample blank wall space minimized visual clutter. The room benefited from natural light, but blinds were added to control glare and adjust brightness.
• Furniture: A small, movable table provided flexibility for different meeting configurations. Furniture risers were used to raise the love seat and chairs, making it easier for veterans with mobility challenges to sit and stand. Chairs and the love seat offered firm back and seat support, with a few pillows for added comfort.
• Sensory Considerations: Nature photography and calming prints adorned the walls, avoiding any imagery that could evoke memories of war. A clock, garbage can with a daily emptying schedule for odor control, and a readily accessible tissue box addressed practical needs. Convenient access to a public restroom and water fountain was also ensured.

Making Every Space Sensory-Friendly:

The veteran interview room transformation offers a powerful example of how to make environments more inclusive, effectively removing barriers to healthcare. In addition, here’s a breakdown of sensory considerations for each of the eight senses:

• Sight: Minimize glare, offer adjustable lighting, and consider providing fidget toys or visual breaks. This could involve offering calming coloring pages or short video clips for children experiencing visual overload.
• Hearing: Reduce background noise by lowering music volume, using sound-absorbing materials, and offering noise-canceling headphones. Ensure clear communication through proper acoustics and staff training on speaking clearly and directly to patients. Staff may also benefit from visual cues or written instructions for patients who struggle with auditory processing.
• Touch: Provide a variety of textures in furniture and fidget toys, and ensure comfortable seating options. Offer weighted blankets or lap pads for individuals seeking deep pressure stimulation.
• Smell: Maintain a clean environment, use fragrance-free products, and be mindful of food smells. Ask patients about any sensitivities to cleaning products or perfumes worn by staff. Consider offering scent-free waiting areas.
• Taste: Offer water and healthy snacks in a designated area. Be mindful of dietary restrictions and sensitivities.
• Vestibular (Balance): Ensure clear pathways and avoid sudden changes in floor levels. Mark any uneven surfaces or thresholds with contrasting colors for better visibility.
• Proprioception (Body Awareness): Provide chairs with good back and seat support. Offer fidget toys or hand exercises to help individuals maintain body awareness.
• Interoception (Internal Body Awareness): Create a calm and predictable environment to reduce anxiety and stress. Offer patients a sense of control by providing choices whenever possible, such as the order of procedures or the room temperature.

Why Sensory-Friendly Interview Rooms Matter in Healthcare

Fostering Trust, Communication, and Better Outcomes

Firstly, since healthcare encompasses both physical and mental well-being, creating a calming and supportive interview space can significantly improve a patient’s experience and overall health outcomes. Secondly, a sensory-friendly interview room goes beyond physical comfort. Finally, by reducing anxiety and promoting clear communication, it contributes to a patient’s mental well-being, a crucial aspect of holistic healthcare.

Healthcare can be delivered by many different health professionals. Sometimes they are called healthcare providers.  For instance, they include:

• hospitals and hospital staff,
• medicine or medical services delivered by physicians or medical doctors,
• nurse practitioners, and nurses,
• occupational therapy,
• physiotherapy/physical therapy,
• speech-language pathologists,
• social workers,
• case workers
• psychology,
• dentistry,
• and so on.

Sensory sensitivities can impact individuals seeking care from a wide range of healthcare providers. From hospitals and physicians to therapists, dentists, and mental health professionals, everyone can benefit from creating sensory-friendly environments. Besides, patients with autism, PTSD, anxiety, dementia, and other conditions may experience sensory overload in traditional healthcare settings. Therefore, by offering calming spaces that address sight, sound, touch, and other sensory factors, all healthcare providers can ensure a more welcoming and inclusive experience for their patients. This, in turn, fosters better communication, reduces anxiety, and ultimately contributes to improved healthcare outcomes for everyone.

Sensory sensitivity is a documented barrier to healthcare

A significant study by Raymaker et al. (2016). “Barriers to Healthcare: Instrument Development and Comparison Between Autistic Adults and Adults With and Without Other Disabilities” highlights the challenges of sensory overload in healthcare settings, particularly for autistic individuals. The study found that autistic adults specifically identified sensory issues as a major barrier to receiving adequate care. These issues impacted their ability to manage emotions, communicate effectively with providers, tolerate sensory stimuli within the facilities, and navigate the healthcare system itself. Notably, the study revealed that 30% of autistic adults surveyed directly attributed the facilities themselves to their sensory difficulties.  ¹. 

Designing for All Senses: A Guide to Sensory-Friendly Interview Spaces in Healthcare

We experience the world through eight senses: sight, hearing, touch, taste, smell, vestibular (balance), proprioception (body awareness), and interoception (internal body awareness). A sensory-friendly space considers each of these senses and minimizes potential triggers for overload. This free guide has practical tips for creating a calming and inclusive environment for all patients in interview rooms.

Download the free infographic about making your interview room sensory friendly. No email required!

Exploring Sensory-Friendly Practices

Imagine creating a space where everyone feels welcome and comfortable, regardless of their sensory sensitivities. Sensory-friendly design is more than just a trend; it’s a powerful tool for fostering inclusion and improving user experience.

Join Our Sensory-Friendly 101 Course

Ready to make a difference? Our Sensory-Friendly 101 Course is included in our all-access Training Membership, giving you unlimited access to all our courses at an unbeatable price.

In this short video from our Founder and CEO, we’ll introduce you to our comprehensive training membership. Discover how you can get access to all the courses you need at a low cost and you can transform your space into a haven for all, while gaining valuable insights and practical strategies from industry experts. Watch now and take the first step towards a more inclusive future!

Real-World Success Stories: How Our Solutions Make a Difference

Want to see more sensory-friendly practices in action? Our case study library is bursting with inspiring examples! From noise friendly restaurants to co-working spaces for all, discover how a wide range of organizations have embraced inclusion. Learn from their successes and challenges, and glean practical tips to guide your own sensory-friendly transformation. Let’s turn inspiration into action – explore our case studies today!

Finally, ready to turn your vision of a sensory-friendly space into reality? Funding possibilities are out there to help! Explore grants specifically dedicated to accessibility initiatives, often offered by government agencies or philanthropic foundations. Consider local organizations that support inclusion efforts within your community. Don’t forget to explore creative fundraising options, like community partnerships or hosting sensory-friendly events. Remember, creating a welcoming space for everyone is an investment that benefits all. Let’s bridge the gap between inspiration and action – explore funding options and get started on your sensory-friendly transformation today!

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1. Raymaker, D. M., McDonald, K. E., Ashkenazy, E., Gerrity, M., Baggs, A. M., Kripke, C., Hourston, S., & Nicolaidis, C. (2016). Barriers to Healthcare: Instrument Development and Comparison Between Autistic Adults and Adults With and Without Other Disabilities. Autism, 21(8), 972–984. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361316661261