Benefits of Sensory Experiences in Long-Term Care Settings

Benefits of Sensory Experiences in Long-Term Care Settings

Caring for someone with memory or cognitive impairment can be challenging. Instead of sticking to traditional activities like crosswords, BINGO, jigsaw puzzles, or current events, consider incorporating shared sensory activities. These activities engage the senses of touch and smell, triggering memories and providing a soothing experience for individuals with dementia. Sensory activities can help alleviate anxiety, agitation, and anger, creating a calm and relaxed environment for both the individual and the caregiver.

Transforming Clinical Spaces with Sensory Rooms

Long-term care settings often need more varied textures, sights, sounds, and interactive opportunities due to cleanliness and infection control protocols. However, as recreationists, we aim to foster independence, support relationships, and nurture individuals through engaging sensory experiences. A sensory room is a therapeutic environment designed to deliver high levels of stimuli, including optical illusions, lighting effects, aromas, colors, textures, and sounds, stimulating the olfactory, auditory, and gustatory systems.

Keeping Busy Hands Occupied

Individuals with dementia often exhibit constant hand movements, such as rubbing hands together, plucking at clothing, or handling familiar objects. Sensory activities and fidget objects can help keep busy hands occupied, providing comfort and reducing anxiety.

Success-Based Activities

Activities for individuals with dementia should always have a successful outcome and be failure-free. There is no right or wrong way to participate, and engagement satisfaction is the key goal. Activities perceived as useful are even better.

Essential Benefits of Sensory Programming in Long-Term Care Homes

- Enhanced Communication: Sensory programming, like Snoezelen therapy, helps alleviate residents' fears and build trust with caregivers. This therapy fosters better verbal and non-verbal communication by stimulating seven senses, including balance and body awareness.

- Increased Environmental Awareness: In a controlled multi-sensory setting, residents receive continuous stimuli that enhance their understanding and awareness of their surroundings. Sensory therapy enriches their daily experiences, addressing the sensory deprivation many dementia patients face.

- Improved Behavior and Mood: Sensory therapy can soothe aggressive behavior and uplift moods. The non-threatening environment, with dim lighting, pleasant scents, and calming sounds, offers gentle stimulation that reduces tension, revitalizes the spirit, and aids in recovery.

- Boosted Self-Esteem: Sensory therapy can enhance self-esteem, self-awareness, and self-acceptance. Research indicates a 75% reduction in self-injurious behavior among participants.

Key Takeaways

- A sensory cart, like the Little Red Sensory Cart, helps create a therapeutic sensory room.

- Sensory therapy reduces fears and builds trust between participants and caregivers. Activity panels, like the Sound to Light Panel and the Music & Sound Sensory Panel, provide simple, large-format interactive opportunities.

- Continuous sensory stimulation improves participants' awareness of their surroundings.

- Sensory therapy calms aggressive behavior and improves mood.

- Sensory activities and interactions through therapy may improve self-esteem.

Note: This therapy is not suitable for patients with conditions like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or epilepsy.

Engage with these sensory tools to enhance the well-being of individuals in long-term care settings, promoting a more enriched and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.