Health & Fitness
Senior Moments Goes Sensory
Senior Moments Goes Sensory
Elder Care Insights provides education, guidance and support for older adults and their families. The blog is written by our professional staff at Elder Care Consulting, Elder Care Associates and Senior Moments.We are our experiences, and our memories are shaped by our six senses. Elderly people with dementia, however, often become deprived of sensory experiences because of the loss of abilities attributed to their condition and old age. It becomes difficult for them to remain alert to their environment and retrieve memories. With this knowledge, Springfield College Master of Science student of occupational therapy, Ligi-Elin Jacob, is constructing activities for the clients of Senior Moments of Tolland, CT and running a research study on the effect of providing sensory rich activities to people with dementia. In one multisensory activity, clients reflect on their earlier years by putting on a vintage apron, feeling an aluminum measuring cup, and listening to music of their time before folding blueberries into dough. In another activity, they listen to recordings of bird calls and view images of birds to guess the bird before digging in a container of rice to find affirmations. As the six senses—sight, sound, touch, smell, taste, and movement—are stimulated, the seniors smile, laugh, talk with one another and share memories. “My uncle was a baker…” recounted one senior as she held dough in her hand. “I picked wild blueberries with my brother…” recalled a gentleman after chewing on blueberries. “Feeling the rice reminds me of satin and chintz and sewing. Very smooth.” stated another woman. Kerry W., nurse at Senior Moments noted that, “Having the sounds and things they can touch—having something that stimulates—made a difference. It sparked thoughts and conversation, and they seem to really enjoy it.”
Through her research Ms. Jacob hopes to assess the shifts in alertness, mood and agitation levels seen in seniors with dementia participating in multisensory activities and observe their engagement with others and their environment. To learn more about the study or Senior Moments, an adult day care center located in Tolland, CT you may contact Lori O’Connor, APRN Owner at 860-643-9500.
Lori O'Connor, MSN, APRN is a nationally certified Professional Geriatric Care Manager and a Certified Dementia Specialist with Elder Care Consulting, LLC She owns and manages three companies providing geriatric care management, home support services and an adult day center.
