Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia can be enormously rewarding. But it can also be challenging — especially when it comes to keeping your loved one engaged and active day to day.
Having a few go-to sensory activities to engage in with your loved one can help. This list of sensory activities for adults with dementia can provide you with some new ways to engage you loved one’s senses of touch, sound, taste, sight and smell.
But first, why are sensory activities important? Because they encourage engagement through learning, exploration, and creativity. And that goes for people of all ages. Sensory stimulation can help seniors with Alzheimer’s or dementia interact with their surroundings in more meaningful ways. What’s more, studies have shown that when applied consistently, sensory activities do more than just entertain — they’re actually very helpful in treating memory issues. In short, older adults who actively engage all five senses on a regular basis may see some improvement in their cognitive abilities, sometimes retaining more information or recalling distant memories.
Sensory activites can also stimulatepositive thoughts and improve the mood and energy levels of adults with Alzheimer’s and dementia.
The Benefits of Sensory Activities
Sensory activities for adults with dementia are especially helpful when they’re tailored to the specific personality and interests of the participant. Suppose your loved one was a talented musician before their cognitive health started to decline. An activity revolving around music and sound might help them tap into the feelings of joy they experienced when music was a big part of their life
Additional benefits include:
- Greater senses of relaxation and safety
- Increased levels of concentration
- Boosted cognitive function
- Improved mood, self-esteem , and overall well-being
- Increased feelings of connection and acceptance
- Improved communication
Easy Sensory Activities
Most sensory activitiesare simple and require minimal prep work. Plus, they can usually be done with everyday objects.
Take a look around, and you’ll find that a great number of simple objects carry significant meaning and provide powerful levels of sensory input. Family photos, candles, books and foods all trigger different feelings and memories. With a little bit of structure and some encouraging support from you, your loved one is likely to enjoy all of the following easy sensory activities:
- Bake Something Tasty
Baking is a great way to engage several senses simultaneously (taste, smell, and touch). Start simple and bake something likely to bring back fond memories. It’s an activity best shared with older adults in the earlier stages of dementia as it requires a good amount of interaction and responsibility.
Here’s how those senses and memories are triggered:
- Discussing old favorites and what makes them so delicious
- Thumbing through recipes to find the best option
- Using hands to measure, mix, knead, and roll
- Smelling the ingredients
- Tasting the results
- Sharing any memories that might pop up
- Watching Movies
This is a straightforward sensory activity for adults with dementia that requires minimal effort from you or your loved one. Pick an old classic — a movie from a time before your loved one’s health started to decline — and spend an afternoon enjoying the film together. It’s an easy way to share a laugh or cry and talk about any emotions or memories it might conjure.
- Diffuse Essential Oils
Our sense of smell is incredibly powerful. Research has shown that fragrances have significant and measurable effects on stress, depression, happiness, and relaxation. You’ve probably experienced this yourself when you caught wind of a particular scent — like freshly cut grass, cookies right out of the oven, or peppermint in winter.
That’s why essential oils are such popular (and effective) tools when it comes to treating and caring for adults with dementia; aromatherapy can help patients connect with memories that may have been lost.
- Play Games and Build Puzzles
Board games and puzzles are great stimulation activities that engage the mind and senses — and they’re fun too, particularly if others get involved. The best part is that your options are virtually limitless, including countless games and puzzles with varying skill levels. You can even create your own game if you’re feeling adventurous, like “Name That Scent” or “Taste Memory.”
- Create a Work of Art
Self-expression is critical for anyone at any age, but it is particularly important for older adults who might be losing verbal control or their ability to maintain conversation. Art is a fun, creative way to empower your loved one to express themselves in new and exciting ways. It engages the senses of touch and sight while boosting mood and overall well-being. Finger painting, coloring, doodling and sculpting with clay are all great forms of art therapy.
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FAQs
Sensory Bins
Fill a shallow container with various tactile materials such as sand, rice, or dried beans. Encourage the individual to explore the textures using their hands or small tools. This activity can help stimulate touch sensations and promote relaxation.
What are multisensory activities for dementia patients? ›
Look at pictures or watch tv shows or DVDs consisting of beautiful scenery, animals or beautiful lights. Make a memory book from old family photographs and old local photographs. Touch – including their personal preferences for physical touch. Consider giving someone a manicure, doing their hair or giving a massage.
What activities are good for dementia patients? ›
Listening to music, dancing, or contact with babies, children or animals provide positive feelings. People with dementia often have excellent memories of past events, and looking through old photos, memorabilia and books can help the person to recall earlier times.
What are three things to never do with your loved one with dementia? ›
Here are some Don'ts:
- Don't reason.
- Don't argue.
- Don't confront.
- Don't remind them they forget.
- Don't question recent memory.
- Don't take it personally.
Build quiet times into the day, along with activities. Keep well-loved objects and photographs around the house to help the person feel more secure. Remind the person who you are if he or she doesn't remember, but try not to say, “Don't you remember?” Encourage a two-way conversation for as long as possible.
What is a sensory box for adults with dementia? ›
These are containers filled with everyday objects to assist people with dementia to interact, communicate and reminisce. They can also help to be a soothing form of distraction. The containers can be filled with just about anything; fabrics, rice, buttons, marbles, seeds, bouncy balls, shells, thimbles etc.
How to make a sensory room for people living with dementia? ›
A stimulating but comfortable environment can be created through a considered and appropriate use of colour, wall paper, attractive furniture, art work / images, appropriate decoration, sensory corridors, and the introduction of nature through aquarium, pets, water features, plants and small trees.
What are meaningful activities for dementia? ›
Meaningful activities can include a range of things from the usual tasks of daily life, such as, cooking, cleaning, gardening, self-care, through to activities which engage like a call or a zoom session with a relative or friends.
What are tactile objects for dementia patients? ›
Some suggestions for tactile stimulation:
Peach pits, gourds, avocado, orange, kiwi, and other textured food items. Pieces of ceramic and stone tile (make sure there are no sharp edges)
What are the three golden rules of dementia? ›
SPECAL sense begins with three Golden Rules: Don't ask direct questions. Listen to the expert – the person with dementia – and learn from them. Don't contradict.
For that reason, people with dementia need a caregiver (or caregivers) who can assist with everyday tasks and personal care, as well as aid in decision-making about health, finances and more.
What is not good for dementia patients? ›
Foods to Avoid
- Red meat.
- Desserts, sweets and sugary beverages.
- Refined grains.
- Processed, fried and fast foods.
- Alcohol.
Looping is very common in dementia care. It can involve the repeating of stories or fixations. How you approach it and/or embrace it makes a world of difference in your interaction with the individual. Allow it to happen and you can have a deeper, richer interaction with your loved one.
What is the number one trigger for dementia behavior? ›
Pain or Discomfort: General pain, side effects from medications, lack of sleep, and inability to describe their discomfort are all common symptoms that can trigger aggressive behavior or lashing out. Environment: This is the most common trigger for aggressive behavior in dementia patients.
What do dementia eyes look like? ›
You can't tell whether someone has dementia by looking in their eyes. However, vision loss commonly occurs among people with dementia. It's not clear whether vision loss causes dementia or vice versa. It may be that both sight loss and dementia are more common among older adults.
What is an example of a sensory technique? ›
Learning sensory language techniques helps children to accurately describe the sensation they are trying to express. For example, they might be able to explain the umami taste or the taste of a certain food they may not have been able to express previously when asked what it tasted like.
What are the sensory intervention techniques? ›
Techniques in Sensory Integration Therapy
These activities may include playing with swings, trampolines, large balls, and other equipment that provide sensory input. Swinging and Spinning: Swinging and spinning activities are commonly used to provide vestibular (balance and movement) input.
What are the sensory methods techniques? ›
Table 2
| Test | Type of Evaluation |
|---|
| Triangle test | Identification of a different sample from a set of three samples. |
| Tetrad test | Group similar samples from a set of four samples. |
| Duo–trio test | Three samples are displayed; one of them is the reference. Identification of the most similar sample regarding the reference. |
4 more rowsJan 18, 2022
The idea behind sensory stimulation is that objects can trigger memories and emotions in people with dementia. Stimulating taste, smell, vision, hearing, and touch can help people with dementia recall positive thoughts and emotions, and encourage them to communicate and engage with other people.
