Sensory Activities in Memory Care at TerraBella Durham
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Gardening, music, aromatherapy, and creative arts are wonderful ways to stimulate seniors' senses in memory care. Sensory activities in memory care can also include outdoor sensory walks, brain games, and gentle physical exercises.
According to a recent study cited by NYU Langone Health, Americans aged 55 and older face a 42% lifetime risk of developing dementia. Age-related brain changes, such as loss of neurons, increase the risk of dementia or Alzheimer's in seniors.
Communities like TerraBella Durham offer comprehensive Alzheimer's programming to support residents' emotional wellness. Located in Durham, NC 27707, our welcoming community provides a supportive environment where residents age with dignity, comfort, and purpose.
What Is the Two-Finger Test in Dementia?
The two-Finger test in dementia assesses specific brain areas involved in parietal lobe function and tactile perception. During the test, one must listen carefully and make sure they understand each question. Challenges here may indicate issues with attention, comprehension, or working memory, which are common in the early stages of dementia.
This test also assesses a senior's visual-spatial processing abilities. Difficulty positioning fingers or judging space may indicate visual-spatial problems often seen in dementia.
What Is a Sensory Bin for Dementia Patients?
A sensory bin for dementia patients is a thoughtfully designed container filled with materials that engage the senses, including:
- Touch
- Sight
- Smell
- Sometimes sound
It's a hands-on activity that allows seniors to explore and interact with familiar or comforting objects. This fosters memory care engagement, sparking curiosity and encouraging relaxation.
Sensory bins provide older adults with dementia a gentle and meaningful way to connect with their environment. They evoke positive emotions connected to long-term memory wellness.
Sensory bins typically include the following key elements:
- Safe, familiar objects
- Sensory items with varied textures
- A themed collection of materials
- Guided interactions
Exploring textures, identifying objects, and recalling associations help promote cognitive stimulation for seniors by engaging various areas of the brain. This helps maintain cognitive functioning and slow mental decline.
What Are Some Sensory Activities for Older Adults?
Before choosing an assisted living community, take time to review its activity calendar to see if it offers engaging programs that stimulate the senses. You may also tour the community and experience its environment. A thoughtfully designed environment fosters spontaneous engagement and emotional well-being.
Music Therapy
Music therapy promotes:
- Tactile engagement
- Kinesthetic stimulation
- Auditory stimulation
- Emotional resonance
- Visual activation
Tactile engagement through playing instruments, like shaking a tambourine, enhances touch and fine motor skills. Kinesthetic stimulation from movements like dancing or clapping helps improve balance and flexibility.
Auditory stimulation from rhythm, melody, and harmony in music activates multiple brain areas, enhancing hearing sensitivity and sound processing. Emotional resonance occurs when music evokes memories and emotions, stirring the senses and bringing comfort, joy, or nostalgia. Visual cues during a music session stimulate visual processing, reinforcing both cognitive recognition and emotional engagement.
Gentle Physical Activities
Some gentle physical activities that help engage and stimulate the senses in seniors include:
- Outdoor sensory walks
- Chair yoga
- Tai Chi
- Gentle dance
- Water aerobics
Nature walks stimulate the senses through the sights, sounds, and scents of the environment. Chair yoga promotes relaxation and balance, while Tai Chi enhances mindfulness, coordination, and harmony between the body and mind.
Gentle dance promotes rhythm, while water aerobics provides a full-body, low-impact sensory workout. In assisted living communities, residents enjoy personalized wellness programs featuring gentle exercises tailored to their individual abilities.
Creative Arts
Several forms of creative arts can effectively stimulate the senses, including the following:
- Culinary arts
- Painting
- Knitting
- Drawing
- Sculpting and pottery
Creative arts such as painting and drawing enhance visual and tactile senses through color, line, and texture. Culinary arts stimulate the senses of smell, taste, and sight while also encouraging social connection and enjoyment.
Sculpting, knitting, and pottery encourage touch, hand-eye coordination, and creative focus. Assisted living communities incorporate creative arts into daily activities and events, helping enhance residents' social connections and self-esteem.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy engages the olfactory system, which is the body's direct link between scent and emotion. Inhaling essential oils like lavender or rosemary can evoke comforting memories and enhance mental clarity. It can also stimulate recall in seniors experiencing age-related memory decline.
Certain scents, like rose or ylang-ylang, gently awaken the senses, fostering a soothing sense of calm and positivity. For older adults experiencing loneliness or stress, these soothing aromas can restore emotional balance, encourage relaxation, and enhance mental well-being. They can also stimulate alertness and improve concentration by increasing oxygen flow to the brain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Family Members Participate in Sensory Activities With Their Loved Ones?
Absolutely. Family members should join their aging loved ones in sensory activities to encourage bonding, joy, and support. When families engage in sensory activities like enjoying aromatherapy, they also help stimulate their loved one's memory and cognition.
What Safety Measures Should Be in Place During Sensory Activities?
Ensuring safety during these activities is essential to minimize discomfort, confusion, or the risk of injury. This is particularly important for seniors experiencing balance issues or cognitive decline. Essential safety measures to follow during sensory activities for older adults in memory care include:
- Safe and non-toxic materials like scented oils
- Temperature control for sensory comfort
- Individualized assessment and supervision
- Clutter-free and accessible environment
How Is Progress Measured or Observed in Seniors Participating in Sensory Activities?
Tracking progress in seniors who participate in sensory activities involves noting changes in their emotional, physical, cognitive, and social well-being over time. Progress should be tracked through consistent, person-centered observation. Observing seniors during group sensory activities reveals insights into their social and emotional progress.
Sensory Activities in Memory Care: Awakening the Senses and the Spirit in Old Age
Sensory activities support seniors with cognitive decline while enriching their daily experiences. From music and aromatherapy to gentle physical exercises, these activities encourage senior engagement and support emotional wellness.
At TerraBella Durham, memory care is a thoughtfully crafted environment where sensory engagement breathes life into everyday. Our exclusive programs combine engaging events, health and wellness support, housekeeping, and chef-prepared homestyle meals for a complete experience. We offer comprehensive, personalized senior living options, including Assisted Living and Memory Care.
Through our Patriot Angels partnership, qualifying veterans receive $1,000 off their second month. Contact us today to experience personalized Durham senior care.