Sensory Enrichment: Elevating Well-Being in Dementia Care

Dementia is a progressive and often debilitating condition that can have a profound impact on a person’s quality of life. It can cause confusion, memory loss, and difficulty with everyday tasks. One way to improve the well-being of people living with dementia is to engage them in sensory activities. Sensory activities are designed to stimulate the senses through touch, smell, taste, sight, and sound.

Sensory activities can be very calming for someone living with dementia, who may experience agitation or anxiety. Soothing music and smelling a familiar scent can both help to reduce agitation and encourage relaxation, thereby improving the overall well-being and quality of life for that individual.

From improvements in mood, to encouraging relaxation and reminiscence, sensory activities are brilliant ways to make connections and improve the overall quality of life for someone living with dementia.

They can provide enjoyment, relaxation, and cognitive stimulation for people with dementia, as well as reduce agitation, anxiety, and depression. Sensory activities can trigger memories and emotions that may otherwise be difficult to access.

Furthermore, they enhance communication and social interaction by providing topics for conversation, opportunities for sharing, and expressions of feelings. Ultimately, sensory activities can improve mood and well-being by creating a positive and pleasant environment, reducing stress and boredom, and increasing self-esteem and confidence.

Here at Kings Lodge, we offer sensory games that involve colours, different shapes, and textures, as well as puzzles at varying difficulty levels to suit every resident. Our sensory activities also encompass hand massages, conducted in their rooms, the lounge, or our Namaste room.

During these sessions, residents are given a choice of scents to use in the oil for their hand massage. Some residents prefer chatting during the massage, while others enjoy listening to music and simply relaxing. Either way, this sensory activity has garnered a positive reaction from residents and their families.