Sensory Activities That Stimulate Seniors’ Minds, Bodies

The aging process can diminish the five basic senses, so it’s beneficial to engage seniors in activities that can help keep them stronger.

Our sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch may not be what they once were, but “exercising” them can keep them in better working condition. Embassy Healthcare helps residents with sensory activities that can have a profound effect on their quality of life.

Activities that engage the senses can boost mood, promote relaxation, build social skills and help them feel connected to family and friends. Some of this impact is because the senses are strong gateways to our past and happy memories. Consequently, these activities are also excellent ways of stirring positive emotions in people with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

Here are some ways sensory activities help seniors:

1. Reminisce and remember: Sparking up nostalgic feelings can be a great way to bring back memories, even if the person isn’t able to converse about these memories. Hearing an old favorite song can take them back to dancing at prom, while smelling cookies could remind them of time spent in the kitchen with their mother.
2. Relax in nature: A peaceful walk in the park or the woods uses sight, smell and sound to soothe the mind and body. Smelling flowers, hearing the leaves crunch and seeing plants and trees can do wonders to lift moods.
3. Be artistic: Being able to express oneself through art – regardless of experience – can bring a smile to someone who may struggle with verbal communication. Try painting with watercolors or creating a collage.
4. Petting therapy: Many seniors may enjoy spending time with animals. A visit from a calm, well-mannered dog can do wonders for anyone’s spirits.

These type of sensory stimulating activities can help people feel more comfortable in their environment, reduce loneliness or even improve cognitive ability.

Several of Embassy Healthcare’s communities in Ohio provide dementia care services as part of their offerings. Call us at 888-975-1379 or contact us online to learn more about these facilities or our services.