Originally used as a therapy in Europe, sensory stimulation has gained prominence in the United States as a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease.
Using everyday objects, therapists can trigger emotions and memories in seniors who have lost their ability to connect with the world around them.
Sensory Stimulation Therapy
Sensory stimulation uses everyday objects to arouse one or more of the five senses (hearing, sight, smell, taste and touch), with the goal of evoking positive feelings.
Used in Europe since the 1960s, this therapy was originally designed to help people with learning disabilities. It was a way for them to explore a safe, stimulating environment that provided age-appropriate and enjoyable activity.
Since then, the therapy has become widely used to treat other conditions, including:
- Alzheimer’s
- Autism
- Brain injuries
- Chronic pain
- Other forms of dementia
Ways Sensory Stimulation Can Affect Alzheimer’s
As Alzheimer’s progresses, a senior’s ability to communicate and perform everyday activities declines. Giving these seniors means to express themselves, when they can no longer do so with words, can help them feel safe and relax. This can improve their:
- Mood
- Self-esteem
- Well-being
Additionally, by drawing attention to a particular item, sensory stimulation encourages memories and responses from seniors suffering from Alzheimer’s:
For instance, art or photos can trigger emotions and memories for seniors who no longer speak. A senior who has not expressed a word in months might suddenly smile or want to pick up a pencil and draw. That art form eventually can become a means for the senior to communicate, either through personal works of art or simply by sharing the experience.
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