Dementia can be a scary and stressful diagnosis both for the seniors experiencing it and their family and caregivers. Coming up with the right individualized care plan is critical, and ensuring social connection is just as important. At Terra Vista, we use sensory stimulation to encourage our memory care patients to not only engage socially but also improve communication and quality of life.
How Does Sensory Stimulation Work?
People living with dementia often experience difficulties with speech, language, and motor skills. This can make communicating and completing routine daily activities frustrating and disheartening for them. On top of that, cognitive changes can prevent them from visualizing, interpreting, and understanding their surroundings. All of this can lead to isolation, loneliness, and depression.
Sensory stimulation for dementia patients is rooted in the principle that stimulating the senses can help with the behavioral symptoms of dementia, improve mood, and improve overall quality of life. Whether it’s something as simple as listening to a once-favorite song or something as complex as using virtual reality technology, this type of dementia treatment helps to evoke memories, comfort, and a sense of calm.
Sensory Activities for Dementia Patients
Sensory activities for dementia patients can span a wide variety, but here are some of the most used to improve quality of life for these seniors.
Music therapy: Did you know that musical memories are often preserved in patients with Alzheimer’s disease? This is because the main regions linked to musical memories remain mostly undamaged even as the disease progresses. Music therapy helps to bring back memories and allow seniors to experience positive emotions linked to songs. Patients can pick music themselves, or popular music from their lifetimes can be utilized. Singing, dancing, and playing instruments all encourage expression and social connection as well.
Art therapy: Art therapy is another commonly used sensory activity for dementia patients. Art allows seniors – especially those with communication issues – to express themselves freely when their speech or physical abilities limit them. It’s an outlet for communication as well as a way to bring back happy memories.
Other examples of sensory activities for dementia patients include:
- Arranging flowers and horticulture therapy
- Looking at old photos or newspaper articles
- Preparing a snack or simple meal
- Going for a walk outside to enjoy nature
- Bird watching
- Using smells and aromatherapy to evoke memories and restore a sense of calm
- Organizing or sorting objects
When coming up with care plans and the appropriate sensory activities for dementia patients at Terra Vista, our expert team considers the residents’ abilities, as well as their culture, hobbies, lifestyles, social interests, work history, travels, and recreational preferences. This ensures that each resident has a tailored sensory stimulation plan that best serves their individual needs.
How Sensory Stimulation Can Benefit Residents with Dementia
What are the measurable benefits of sensory stimulation for dementia patients? Here are some of the ways this type of care plan can help your loved one:
- Offering a new way of communicating, which can enhance both verbal and nonverbal communication.
- Helping to reduce behavioral issues.
- Improving daily functioning and the ability to complete day-to-day activities.
- Encouraging social interaction and connection with other residents and caregivers.
- Reducing anxiety and depression to improve the overall quality of life of the resident.
Explore Sensory Stimulation Dementia Care at Terra Vista
Want to learn more about how sensory stimulation could help your loved one with dementia? We’re here with answers. Sit down to chat with one of our advisors today – we’re ready and waiting to give you the support that you and your loved one need.
