Sensory play is something we often associate with children or young adults living with developmental differences or disability. But did you know that sensory activities can be just as beneficial for seniors? From boosting cognitive function to reducing stress and anxiety, sensory activities offer a world of benefits for seniors, too!
In this guide, we’ll discuss some of the advantages of sensory activities for seniors and some that you can try at home. We’ll also explore the activities and programs at The Village Retirement Group that support sensory stimulation and the overall quality of life for residents.
What is Sensory Therapy?
Sensory play is a type of activity that stimulates one or more of the five senses—sight, sound, hearing, smell, taste, and touch. It involves engaging with different materials, experiences, and environments that encourage individuals to explore and process sensory information. This can include activities like feeling different textures, listening to various sounds, smelling unique scents, or even tasting different flavors.
For seniors, sensory play is particularly valuable as it enhances cognitive function, encourages connection with surroundings, and creates meaningful sensory experiences that promote emotional well-being.
Who Does Sensory Therapy Benefit?
Sensory therapy is often associated with helping children, particularly those with disabilities, but did you know it can also be incredibly beneficial for seniors? While it’s well-known for supporting children with developmental delays and sensory processing disorders, sensory activities can be just as valuable for older adults, especially those dealing with age-related challenges such as dementia, Alzheimer’s, and anxiety. Sensory therapy is also beneficial for seniors living with single or dual sensory loss, which is considered relatively common in elderly individuals.
Why Are Sensory Activities Good for Seniors
The benefits of sensory play for seniors are similar to those offered to young adults and children; however, sensory play has the unique ability to trigger happy memories for seniors. Whether it’s the feel of a familiar texture, their favourite scent, or the sound of an old song, sensory play can help spark nostalgic moments that bring comfort and joy. Below, we’ll discuss more of the benefits of sensory activities for elderly individuals.
- Boosts Cognitive Function: Engaging the senses in a meaningful way encourages neural connections that may improve memory, alertness, attention, and problem-solving skills.
- Reduces Anxiety and Stress: Sensory activities help adults with anxiety by promoting relaxation and providing a calming, grounding effect that allows them to focus on the present moment.
- Encourages Social Interaction: Sensory group activities can be incredibly beneficial for elderly individuals as they reduce feelings of isolation and provide opportunities for connection.
- Improves Emotional Well-Being & Mood: Sensory activities can have a powerful impact on a senior’s emotional health, helping to boost low moods and reduce feelings of anxiety or depression.
- Improves Physical Health: Engaging in sensory experiences often encourages movement, which is important for maintaining physical fitness and keeping them mobile.
Calming and Cognitive-Boosting Sensory Activities for Seniors
There are plenty of activities you can integrate into the daily life of your elderly loved one, as well as activities they may be able to enjoy on their own. Some of these include:
Cooking or Baking
Cooking and baking are great sensory activities in that they engage multiple senses, including taste, touch, sight, and smell. Reading the ingredients and method stimulates cognitive function, while measuring, stirring, cutting, and peeling can improve fine motor skills and coordination.
For those who’ve enjoyed preparing meals for their families, cooking and baking can trigger positive memories and provide a sense of accomplishment. For seniors with dementia or Alzheimer’s, revisiting old recipes can be especially meaningful, helping them reminisce about family traditions and the joy of sharing meals with loved ones.
Puzzles, Board, & Card Games
Puzzles and board and card games aren’t just a whole lot of fun—they are also a great way of keeping the mind sharp. By engaging in activities that require strategy, memory recall, and problem-solving, these games help stimulate the brain, improve focus, and boost cognitive abilities. Plus, they’re a great way to spend quality time with others while giving your brain a workout!
Gardening & Spending Time Outdoors
Gardening and spending time outdoors is a wonderful sensory activity for seniors, as it allows them to engage with nature through sight, smell, and touch. Whether it’s doing some light gardening or just going for a walk in the fresh air, being outside can improve mood and provide a sense of purpose and relaxation.
Not to mention the tactile sensation of working with soil and the smell of flowers and plants can be calming and help trigger positive, happy memories. For past and present green thumbs, gardening offers a familiar and fulfilling way to stay active and connected with nature.
Arts & Crafts
Art therapy is a widely used form of therapy with many different purposes. For example, occupational therapists use it to help their patients express themselves, art therapists use it to support emotional and mental well-being, and so on. For older individuals, regularly using arts and crafts can help improve cognitive function, maintain fine motor skills, and provide an outlet for self-expression.
Activities like painting, drawing, or crafting can also encourage creativity and serve as a relaxing way to reduce stress. Plus, for those who have always enjoyed making things, it can be a familiar and rewarding hobby to continue.
Music Therapy
There is something about hearing your favourite song that can do wonders in promoting relaxation, lifting your mood, and evoking fond memories. Whether it’s a song from your favourite band or one from your childhood, music has a way of connecting us to moments and emotions from the past.
More than just connecting you to past memories, engaging with music, whether that be by listening, singing along, dancing, or playing an instrument, is a simple yet effective way for seniors to stay engaged and stimulated.
Crocheting &/or Knitting
Crocheting or knitting is a common interest for many people—not just elderly individuals. These activities busy the hands and mind, helping improve concentration, fine motor skills, and hand-eye coordination. Plus, they’re a great way to keep the mind engaged and reduce stress.
If your loved one used to enjoy knitting or crocheting but stopped due to difficulty or arthritis, try encouraging them to start with simpler patterns or switch to thicker yarn and larger needles.
Animal Therapy
Animals bring a lot of fluffy, tail-wagging goodness into our lives. So, it’s no surprise that animal therapy has been proven to positively impact older individuals and their cognitive, social and emotional health, especially in aged care homes.
Whether petting, interacting with, or caring for an animal, these activities provide tactile and sensory stimulation and a sense of companionship. This can be particularly beneficial for elderly individuals who feel isolated or anxious. Walking the animals also offers gentle physical exercise, further promoting physical well-being.
Massage & Touch
Massage and touch are complementary therapies that can be used alongside conventional medicine to help with low mood, dementia, and anxiety in older individuals. Touch’s calming effects improve circulation, reduce muscle tension, and promote a sense of security and relaxation, which can be particularly beneficial for seniors experiencing feelings of anxiety, isolation, or stress.
Whether it involves attending regular massage therapy or giving your loved one a soothing hand massage, incorporating massage and touch can be an effective way of improving your loved one’s overall health and well-being.
How The Village Retirement Group Incorporates Sensory Activities
At The Village Retirement Group, we know the power of sensory activities in helping elderly individuals maintain social, emotional, mental, and physical well-being. That’s why we offer a vibrant calendar of sensory activities and experiences at all of our communities including wellness programs and fitness classes, as well as:
- Music clubs: Choir and ukelele groups are available within many of our communities.
- Art programs: The Village hosts group craft activities such as beading & card making.
- Garden club: We host a gardening club for our village green thumbs to get together and create beautiful gardens in our community areas.
- Board & card games: In the common areas of all of our villages are card and board games such as Mahjong and checkers.
- Group puzzle time: We host group puzzle time for residents to get together, socialise and challenge their minds!
With these sensory activities, The Village Retirement Group aims to encourage connection and promote a sense of joy and fulfillment in everyday life. This way, you can take comfort in knowing that your loved one is supported in a warm and welcoming community.
