Four Engaging Sensory Activities for Older Adults with Dementia
Sensory engagement is the practice of using a variety of materials and activities that stimulate the five senses. Studies report the many positive benefits of sensory engagement for older adults with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. It encourages memories and responses from someone living with dementia, while also helping to orient their day. When practiced regularly, sensory engagement increases socialization, improves self-awareness, increases alertness, strengthens concentration, and improves mood.
The changing of the seasons provides the perfect setting for families to engage in sensory activities with their elderly relative with dementia. Here are four sensational activities for older adults with dementia.
Carve a Pumpkin
Carving pumpkins engages multiple senses and is the perfect fall activity for families to do with their loved one with dementia. Safely remove the top of the pumpkin and let your loved one scoop out the insides. Ask them how it feels and what memories this activity evokes. Once the pumpkin guts have been removed, work together to draw a design. As you carve the pumpkin, ask your loved one to sort through the pumpkin guts and save the pumpkin seeds. Rinse the seeds and roast them in the oven to enjoy as a snack. Reminisce about carving pumpkins and Halloween.
Take a Scenic Drive
As the leaves change into brilliant colors, engage your loved one’s sense of sight by taking them for a scenic drive. As you drive, point out the many colors of mums and other fall colors that you see. Look for squirrels gathering nuts and see how the neighbors have decorated their front porches for Halloween. If your loved one feels up for it, go for a fall foliage walk at a local park and engage the senses of sight, smell, and touch.
Enjoy Fall Foods
From pumpkin spiced lattes to apple cider donuts, fall offers a variety of tastes to excite the tongue. Treat your loved one to an autumn treat. Visit an apple orchard and taste a variety of apples before enjoying an apple donut. Ask your loved one to describe how each apple tastes and which one is their favorite. Sip on hot apple cider or a pumpkin latte as you reminisce about the autumn season.
Participate in Trick-or-Treat
Although this seems rather simple, participating in the neighborhood trick-or-treat can bring back wonderful memories for your aging loved one, while also stimulating multiple senses. Before the day, help your loved one decorate their front porch. Find a comfortable chair they can sit on and keep blankets nearby to help them stay warm during the event. Make sure the front porch is well-lit. When it's time for trick-or-treating, help your loved one to their chair and give them a bowl of candy to distribute to the kids. Between trick-or-treaters, reminisce with them about their favorite Halloween costumes as a kid. For a more memorable time, purchase costumes or Halloween hats the two of you can wear together.
For some, autumn is a much anticipated season. Fall means that the heat and humidity of summer are finally ending and the holiday season will soon be upon them. For others, autumn is a season that initiates feelings of sadness and loneliness. As the days grow shorter, some feel pushed aside as their families grow busier with school-related activities. Visiting Angels Jenkintown is here to help. We understand the busyness of this season and have professional caregivers ready to step in when your aging loved one needs help. Our caregivers can help your loved one with any number of daily tasks. We offer assistance from just a few hours a week, up to and including round-the-clock monitoring and care. We also offer dementia care services that allow seniors with dementia to remain in their familiar home environment and maintain their daily routines. We’ll help your loved one make the most of their golden years while giving you peace of mind that your loved one is safe and that their needs are being met. To learn more, please contact us today by calling 215-938-7201.