Learning the Importance of Sensory Activities for Dementia Patients

Without the right care or support, a typical day for a dementia patient can be wrought with frustration. But modern approaches to dementia care have worked to stymie the progression of such afflictions. They work to make each day more routine, approachable, and comfortable.

Sensory activities and sensory therapies have arisen to meet that need. But what are sensory activities in the eldercare space? And how can they lead to better patient outcomes? Read on to find out.

What Are Sensory Activities for Dementia Patients?

Sensory activities, as the name might suggest, are activities that invoke each of a patient’s senses. Activities are often administered by trained staff to help with a dementia patient’s cognitive functions. Activities are designed to stimulate:

• Sight,
• Sound,
• Taste,
• Touch, and
• Smell

Dementia care activities may simply invoke a single sense. Or they may invoke multiple senses. But each is designed to trigger cognition that other activities simply can’t.

How Do Sensory Activities Help Dementia Patients?

Sensory activities for dementia patients are intended to lessen the effects of impaired cognition. There is no current cure for dementia, but that doesn’t mean persons with dementia need to suffer in silence.

Sensory activities, when administered by trained staff, have been known to:

• Reduce anxiety and frustration (which can be triggered during a move to Memory Care),
• Improve emotional balance and mood,
• Promote better communication,
• Offer a sense of comfortable routine

All in all, sensory activities are designed for one thing and one thing only for dementia patients. Namely, a better daily quality of life.

Examples of Sensory Activities for Seniors with Dementia

There are countless approaches available to medical staff that wish to help dementia patients through sensory activities. Each can do wonders when it comes to improving a patient’s quality of life.

Commonly administered activities include:

• Visual Sensory Activities – In which the patient looks at pleasing imagery, such as personal photo albums or videos of nature scenes.
• Aural Sensory Activities – In which the patient enjoys relaxing music, sounds from nature, or popular music from their heyday.
• Tactile Sensory Activities – In which the patient puts their hands on soft fabrics, familiar objects, or dynamic textures such as beads or sand.
• Taste Sensory Activities – In which the patient either tastes familiar foods or actually cooks with the help of a trained professional.
• Olfactory Sensory Activities – In which the patient smells familiar scents, such as favorite foods, perfumes, flowers, etc.

When taken as a whole or individually, sensory activities across the range of human senses can prove quite effective.

Why Are Sensory Activities Important in Memory Care?

Memory care is designed for patient comfort for the patients that truly need it most. It should be a place that helps dementia patients pursue the very best golden years that are attainable for them.

As such, sensory activities are an important building block in that goal. Through regular practice, sensory activities can help offer much-desired comfort in the flow of daily life.

How Can Sensory Activities Improve Cognitive Function in Dementia Patients?

There are countless studies that show the effectiveness of regular sensory activities in dementia patients. And each of them has a unique story to tell.

Some have shown improved cognitive functioning. Some have marked an improved quality of life. But taken as a whole, sensory activities can make the seemingly impossible possible. Dementia patients can find comfort in a world that may have previously felt like anything but.

What Sensory Therapies Are Used for Alzheimer’s Patients?

Alzheimer’s disease patients can enjoy a litany of effective sensory therapies to great effect. This could include:

• Reminiscence Boxes – In which the patient looks through the contents of a box intended to trigger memories.
• Hands-On Activities – In which the patient undertakes a hobby that uses their hands, such as sewing, painting, and more.
• Game Playing – In which the patient plays cognitively engaged games such as card games, matching games, and more.
• Animal Visitation – In which the patient spends time with a small pet.

Get the Long Term Sensory Care Your Loved One Needs

Welcome to Chelsea Senior Living. We offer premium and holistic memory care for dementia and Alzheimer’s patients in New York and New Jersey. Our trained staff and comfortable accommodations are designed to ensure your loved one can enjoy each and every day.

You loved one deserves the dignity, comfort, and support they need. Discover the benefits of sensory activities for dementia patients and how they can improve quality of life!