Encouraging sensory stimulation

By Katie

Sensory stimulation enables us to connect with our environment and the people around us. Every day we use our senses to interpret and navigate our surroundings, and rely on them every moment of every day.

It makes sense, therefore, that promoting sensory activities leads to improvements in the emotional and physical health of people living with a diagnosis of dementia. Familiar smells, sounds and touch can ease anxiety and reduce stress.

Engaging our senses is not dependent on complex words or thought processes. Instead, it relies on basic human functions such as sight, smell, touch, sound and taste.

Sensory stimulation doesn’t have to be difficult; the simple act of sorting washing can activate multiple senses. The feel of the different fabrics on the person’s skin, the colour and textures of clothing and the smell of the laundry detergent/soap are all valuable experiences.

How to encourage sensory stimulation:

• Not all sensory stimulation needs to be full activities.

• Build it into care.

• Be inventive - try to engage different senses and document what works.

• Balance stimulation - you can build slowly.

• Consider the person’s life history - did they cook or garden a lot? Were they a hairdresser or mechanic?

SIGHT:

• Projectors: creating calming scenery with digital projectors is an activity that can include multiple people at once and is effective at reducing agitation or anxiety.

• Cookbooks, photography books or photo albums: looking through meals that were made, places that were visited or loved ones can assist with reminiscences as well.

• Art activities: painting, colouring or collage activities also have a calming effect.

SMELL:

• Scented flowers/herbs: both a visual and scented activity.

• Aromatherapy: this can include the traditional calming scents such as lavender or chamomile but also can activate/promote dining experiences such as basil or thyme prior to meals or the smell of popcorn prior to movies.

TOUCH:

• Hand, foot or body massages with scented lotions and scrubs.

• Fiddle boxes, mats or cuffs with a variety of items such as a sewers box with zippers, large buttons, threads or spools, or fishing/toolboxes with bolts, fishing lures and small tools.

• Pet therapy: patting a cat or dog has scientifically been proven to reduce blood pressure and anxiety.

SOUND:

• Music therapy: playing music activates several parts of the brain and can also help with bringing back positive memories. Matching music genres to the times of the day, such as upbeat morning music and calming night time beats, can assist with mood.

• Playing soothing sounds such as oceans, rainforest sounds or even white noise can be effective.

TASTE:

• Portable herb pots offer easy taste/smell/feel options. Sitting herb pots on dining tables prior to meals/putting leaves on placemats can help stimulate appetite.

• Food activities: even a simple taste test of different teas, pieces of fruit or treats.

Further information on sensory stimulation and activities can be found at dementia.org.au/