Nursing home reduces stress with inmu-mindfulness

At Lillevang nursing home, they have found an innovative way to prevent stress and reduce sickness absence. Like many other facilities, they are experiencing major challenges in recruiting and preventing staff from leaving. In the last 9 months, they have introduced a new initiative that has improved staff well-being and given employees more energy.

Three times a week, they do short guided mindfulness sessions with inmuRELAX – meditative exercises with slow movements and contemplation. Staff find that the soothing music and vibrations give them a life-giving break and remove stress from the body. “It invites contemplation – simply hold it and the music starts playing. Some of my colleagues say ‘ahh’ and a deep sigh is heard,” says Katja Halladin Rauh, dementia counsellor and well-being coach at the nursing home.

In the beginning, there was a lot of concern about whether it would be possible for the staff to spend time for contemplation in a busy day. Would they be disturbed by care tasks? Could they all participate at the same time? Their solution was to start the weekly staff meeting with a short inmu-mindfulness session. Furthermore, the staff do inmu-mindfulness in the common room together with the residents. It works far beyond expectations. It has now become a regular routine that staff and residents do inmu-mindfulness together a couple of times a week. Everyone has their own inmuRELAX. Of course, not all residents are able to follow the exercises, but everyone participates as best they can. Some residents just sit with an inmu in their lap. There is a special atmosphere – a contemplation that affects everyone. Katja says that on one occasion a handyman passed by. He quickly withdrew when he felt the atmosphere of contemplation. Apart from that, they are not disturbed. The residents are completely calm.

It has become a ritual to practise inmu-mindfulness together. Something they wouldn’t want to miss. If, on rare occasions, the two coordinators are both unable to attend, another member of the staff volunteers to step in.

The staff feel that they have more energy. They also find that their calmness spreads to the residents. Since the introduction of inmu-mindfulness, they have experienced fewer incidents of agitated behaviour. The staff have no doubt that this is due to the greater calm and peace of mind they have gained themselves.

Since the introduction of inmu-mindfulness, it has become common practice to take a moment alone with an inmuRELAX when you feel the need. Encouraged by the management, there is now a new culture and understanding of the importance of taking small breaks to prevent stress and burnout.

Feeling care-weary and burnt out is a key reason why many staff members leave the care sector. With the new initiatives, a number of staff members have reported that they feel that they have more time for activities and for their families when they return home. As an additional initiative, some staff were offered the opportunity to borrow an inmuRELAX to take home. This has been an extra help for better relaxation and better sleep.

Since they started using mindfulness, health and safety representative Selda Ziyanak has noticed a reduction in sickness absence. “We can definitely feel a difference in our employees’ well-being,” agree dementia consultant Marianne Rye Søndergaard and manager Majbritt Tillgreen Jensen.

Please contact us for further information. We also offer free mindfulness video courses on inmuACADEMY.

Be sure to watch the inmu mindfulness video from the nursing home.

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inmu as invaluable support in the last days of life

One of the hardest things a relative of a person with dementia experiences is losing eye contact. A daughter wrote to us just after her mum had died: “I hadn’t been able to get in touch with my mum for a long time. When I gave her inmuRELAX, she opened her eyes and we made contact again. When we put our hands on the inmu together, I could actually see and feel her body relax”.

Several nursing homes and hospices offer inmuRELAX as a support for the dying. It is also a great help for relatives to feel that the dying person is at peace. To see the body relax.

Relatives describe how inmuRELAX creates a sense of peace and relief in the final days. “My sister and I were very sad to leave our mum because she felt uneasy and anxious. We were finally able to find the money to get an inmuRELAX and when we got it, we felt really at ease. We are SO grateful to have had the inmu in mum’s last days”.

When the dying person lies with the inmuRELAX on their chest, there is often a sense of clarity and peace of mind. The music and gentle vibrations open up emotions. It is not uncommon for tears to flow. It is liberating. It can be a beautiful opportunity to find or rediscover a connection that may have slipped into the background for a long time.

Children, grandchildren and friends may find it difficult to meet the dying person in a new and perhaps unfamiliar environment. It can be difficult to connect and find the deep and meaningful conversation that is needed. inmuRELAX can create a beautiful moment – something to share together. When you touch the inmu together – stroke it or move it a little together – you feel the vibrations and hear the music. Swinging the inmuRELAX slowly over someone’s head or body can also create a beautiful soundscape.

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inmu under the feet

Have you ever felt the vibrations of an inmu with your feet? Your feet are just as sensitive as your hands. You may know from reflexology, for example, that foot stimulation affects the whole body. It stimulates muscles and connective tissue, blood circulation, nervous system, sensory system and more. You can also stimulate the bones with the vibrations.

Stimulating the feet with the inmu’s vibrations has a number of possibilities. For example:

Wheelchair users: Especially for wheelchair users who suffer from paralysis or nerve disorders, vibrations under the feet can provide stimulation to the muscles and connective tissue and to get the blood circulation going. Place the inmu between the foot and the footrest. If the user can move their feet or leg muscles, it can be helpful to hear how the music changes when you change the pressure on the inmu. This motivates continued movement.

Gentle massage: It can be really nice to put the inmu under your feet when you want to relax. Try placing the inmu against the end of the bed or against a sofa armrest, for example. You can also sit down and simply place the inmu on the floor. This provides a nice gentle massage and warmth for your feet. As you change your pressure on the inmu, you can hear the music change.

Motor training: Children love playing with an inmu on the floor. Try alternating between stepping on an inmuRHYTHM and the floor. You can vary by stepping from behind, in front or to the sides. When you can feel the vibrations and hear changes in the music, you are encouraged to continue. Feeling an inmu under your feet can also be used to prepare for walking training. The vibrations draw attention to where the foot is, making it easier to realise that you need to move your foot.

Help with dressing: When you have contact with your foot, it is easier to find your way into a trouser leg. If you’re confused, the vibrations and music will help you identify which leg to use. When helping someone get dressed, you can hold the inmu under their foot for a moment before helping them put on trousers, socks or shoes.

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At nursing home Lillevang, they have found an innovative way to prevent stress and reduce sickness absence.

Like many other institutions, they face major challenges in recruiting and avoiding staff leaving. In the last 9 months, they have introduced a new initiative that has improved staff wellbeing and increased job satisfaction.

They give the staff the opportunity to slow down in a hectic working day. 2-3 times a week they practice mindfulness with inmuRELAX sensory cushions. 

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Kasper is an active man who has autism and a rare muscle disease that causes him to tire quickly. He has no language and seeks many stimuli throughout the day. In just two months of wearing inmuRHYTHM on his body using our vest, he has found it easier to sit on the toilet until he’s finished, to be at the podiatrist and to be kept in activities that stimulate him in a good way. The staff are very optimistic and strives for Kasper to use inmuRHYTHM for dental and doctor visits, bus rides and other situations that can be difficult for Kasper.

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Linette, is a wheelchair user, has spasms and is very tense in her body. She has a tendency to be very distant and withdraw into herself. Linette lives at home for disabled where they are using inmu to awaken her senses. It usually takes more than 20 minutes to wake up Linette’s senses so she can be active. But with inmuRELAX it takes 2-5 minutes to make Linette awake and ready to play with her things. 

inmuRELAX has also improved her motor skills. She is now able to coordinate her hands to move her toy from one hand to the other. inmuRELAX has helped Linette with sensory and fine motor skills and has helped to improve her physical and cognitive abilities.

Lintte’s parents have also noticed as big change. It is a more active and happy Linette.

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A study by Pflegepraxiszentrum (PPZ) Nürnberg show big effect from inmuRELAX in care: more calm and peaceful patients and reduced sleep problems.

Download the report: 2022_inmu Praxisbericht

Read article about the study and project here

Hear leading staff from PPZ Nürnberg explain about the project and the results.

Get inspired on how to use inmu in care

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Olga was at first very hesitant and refusing when she was introduced to inmuRELAX. When you have dementia, it can be difficult to relate to new things. But after some time and contact, Olga became comfortable with the inmu and can now use it herself.

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How valuable sensory stimulation can be for people with dementia is shown in this video from Summerset Group Holdings Limited Retirement Villages in New Zealand. For some time now, the inmuRELAX and inmuDANCE sound cushions have been used with residents in dementia care after receiving an incredible response there.

In this interview with Katie Noble, managing director of inmu sales partner Allied Medical Ltd, Orquidea Tamayo Mortera and Bobby Gerneke, Diversion Therapy Team at Summerset Ellerslie, the three experts talk about the successful use of the inmu.

The inmu’s have had a great impact on the people in the Summerset community, and is a helping hand in cases such as over and under stimulation, anxiety, insomnia, stress and behavioural disorders in dementia care.

Video: ©Allied Medical | Official Distributor of inmu

Get inspired on how to use inmu in care