How Sensory Resources can benefit patients with Alzheimer's

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Dementia is a syndrome (a group of related symptoms) associated with an ongoing decline of brain functioning. Alzheimer's disease is a form of dementia and, along with vascular dementia, makes up most cases.

There are many symptoms of dementia, including:

  • Memory loss
  • Thinking speed
  • Mental sharpness and quickness
  • Language, such as misusing words or trouble speaking
  • Understanding
  • Judgement
  • Mood
  • Movement
  • Difficulties doing daily activities

For persons living with dementia, their awareness & memory become compromised although, the five senses still allow them to become stimulated in their environment. Sensory related activities can work as triggers to encourage conversations, provoke interaction, and reencourage connections with friends and/or family members suffering from dementia.

 

What is sensory stimulation?

Sensory activities are designed to encourage the senses in both natural & creative ways. They can be compelling where memory or cognitive ability is affected. Sensory stimulation can include numerous activities that are also suitable for someone who has dementia. These activities range from a simple walk in the fresh air where they can feel the sun's warmth, the smell of the flowers and the sound of birds right through to cooking or bringing back memories from photographs.

 

Why is sensory stimulation important for dementia patients?

Sensory stimulating activities are becoming more dominant in our care environments due to the numerous advantages for older residents, especially those with dementia. These sensory activities can improve the mood, encourage relaxation, inspire reminiscence, as well as being superb ways to form connections and generally improve the quality of life for the patient.

The use of sound and scent are two excellent ways to transport the patient back to days gone by, which would nurture positive feelings by drawing on past emotions.

 

Some excellent examples of stimulation products

Some of the most compelling objects that evoke memories are:

  • Natural materials – flowers; dried leaves, and barks
  • Tactile rich materials – fur; sand, and brushes
  • Familiar objects, food & clothes

This section will look at some of our products and other activities that can arouse stimulation for each of the five senses.

Sight

Although not always affected by dementia, activities that appeal to the eye can cause memories to return to a patient. Examples of this would be:

    1. Snap Card Games

    2. Wordsearches

    3. Reminiscence Cards

    4. Click here for Jellyfish tank

    5. Click here for Traditional Tea Rooms

    6. Click here for Replica Train Carriage

    7. Click here for Door Covers

Hearing

While hearing can affect many elderly persons, and not only those with dementia but musical products can also be a great approach to initially gain attention and then bring back memories. An example of this may include:

  1. Click here for Sensory CDs

Smell

Scent can entice a person and remind them of days gone by or even where they have been. A few suitable products for this are:

  1. Click here for Scent Pots

  2. Click here for Aroma Diffuser incl. aroma packs

Touch

Keeping the hands of a dementia patient active is a significant part of sensory, nerve & mental stimulation. Fidget items & tactile products are great ways to encourage this.

  1. Click here for Relaxation Pack for Older Adults

  2. Imitation animals

Taste

As a patient continues their dementia journey, many factors can contribute to them finding it increasingly difficult to eat. Food is a vast connector back to our pasts. By encouraging activities such as baking a treat or cooking an old-time favourite meal can engage the senses, promote conversations, but most importantly, encourage them to try the food, they've just created.

 

There are so many benefits in exploring activities through sensory for someone living with dementia, but these activities are intensely personal. No two patients are the same, so it is imperative to tailor the activity to each patient to ensure they are actively engaged.

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