iSavta | 28.09.2020

The 5 senses can be used in caring for Dementia patients and you might wonder how to do it. You might actually have been doing it for a long time now and you just have not realized it. Sensory stimulation is using one or more of our senses such as touching, smelling, hearing, tasting, and seeing to engage with the environment. It is also used to facilitate communication in simple and complex ways.

So, you may ask now how do the senses be used in caring for Dementia patients? Let us check out these activities, ideas, and experiences that you can do daily to help your patient.

 

TOUCH

1. Massage and touch therapy are also used for the elderly. You can also combine with some aromatherapy while you massage their arms or their legs.
2. Grooming and helping them in their personal hygiene is an everyday thing that you are helping them out with that is also considered in the touch territory. Offer them a homemade facial mask for relaxation once a week.

SMELL

1. Flower arrangements in the bedroom or the living area not only brightens the room but also stimulates the sense of smell. Let them differentiate the smell of different flowers.
2. Light some scented candles that can help them remain calm or stimulate sleep. Lavender is known to help you calm down and have a restful sleep.

 

HEAR

1. Listening to favorite music such as classical music, popular music, and folk music.
2. Audiobooks and meditational apps can also be introduced. Apps like Calm also help in inducing sleep.

 

TASTE

1. Preparing dishes and desserts will also be a rewarding activity for you and your patient because you can eat whatever you have prepared. It also is helpful to be able to touch different textures and see different colors while you are preparing the meal.
2. A fruit platter is a good breakfast entrée or snack. Different textures, tastes, and colors will be experienced in 3-5 fruits

 

SEE

1. Watch movies with amazing visuals like Our Planet and other documentaries about nature and wildlife. It can help them relax and enjoy the beauty of nature without leaving the comforts of home.
2. Take a walk in the garden and let them pick up different kinds of leaves. Leaves have different shapes and come in different colors.

You can combine one or more of these experiences to help the patient to identify these experiences. The idea of sensory stimulation is to also awaken some memory and also let them experience a somewhat newer experience. They might have forgotten what to call a mango, but they would certainly remember the taste of mangoes.

 

The Benefits of Stimulating the Senses

 

What is in it for your patients? These suggested activities will help your patients in so many ways. Here are the top 3 benefits of sensory stimulation:

 

Benefit #1: Remembering and Reminiscing Memories

One or two of these things that your senior will go through will most probably help them relate it to past and familiar experiences. Seeing a painting of a familiar seascape can help them remember happy memories with the family on their frequent trips to the beach.

 

Benefit #2: Aiding in Communication with Self and Others

The seniors are more likely to express their emotions in one of these ideas. Expect and anticipate them to feel not only joy but also sadness and melancholy or even anger. More importantly, they have communicated these feelings to you and that you need to help them process it.

 

Benefit #3: Participation means Enjoyment

Some seniors, especially with dementia and Alzheimer’s or other conditions, might be difficult to indulge in activities. Since we are using the senses to stimulate these emotions and memory for our seniors, it will almost be automatic for them to feel or react to the stimulus that we are providing them. Thus, participation is almost 100% in this setup. 

 

More Things to Learn about Sensory Stimulation

You can also plan to do all one or more of these ideas in a day of sensory stimulation. You can plan out a thematic day for them like Ocean Love, Christmas theme, Relaxing Spa, or Glamping.

 

Any theme is welcome because, in their long list of life experiences, we are sure that they will enjoy all of this well-thought out activities. Enjoy planning them because your patient will surely love the ‘NEW’ experience.