Sensory Stimulation
What activities do our residents like?
Sensory stimulation is essential for older people, with many activities enhancing both cognitive and physical function. We find it’s the best way to enrich life, giving our residents multiple opportunities to connect with the world around them. We want to fill their day with actions that fuel their sense of purpose, helping them become more aligned with their senses, and with themselves.
Here are some of our favourite activities for sensory stimulation. Use as inspiration and try them out at home, or get in touch to find out more!
Activities to see
We encourage residents to look through old photos and reminisce over the past events in their lives that they’re particularly proud of. For some, this could be a wedding day, a favourite holiday, or pictures of the family. Photos serve as visual prompts, helping unlock memories and allowing our residents to share more stories of their past.
Visual cues can also bring a sense of identity, a reminder of who they are and the great things they’ve accomplished. This offers a great opportunity for connection and combats social isolation by reminding our residents of the wonderful lives they have lived, or people they’ve met.
Activities to hear
Another way to connect can be through music, whether that’s listening to current favourite songs or old throwbacks. Music helps to stimulate the brain and is known for triggering emotional responses. Whether it’s calming music to ease stress, upbeat music to lift the spirits, or gentle music to help relax, songs add a variety of different benefits to our lives.
Podcasts and audiobooks are also a great auditory tool for those who may have vision problems or simply don’t enjoy reading.
Activities to feel
Touch is also essential for connection, and we work with the local community to ensure our residents have regular interactions with visitors.
This includes regular care for their hands and feet. For instance, nail care helps to prevent infections, and promoting foot health can help mobility, decreasing the risk of falls. We welcome Laura, our reflexologist, and Claire, our podiatrist, into the home for one-on-one time with the residents.
Some of our residents also enjoy fresh manicures, which we provide at our in-house salon. Being pampered is not just a stimulating experience, but it’s also great for boosting wellbeing and self-esteem.
Another great sensory activity is gardening, especially planting, flower arranging, and potting. It’s great for physical health by encouraging light movement and stimulates the brain by providing a sense of purpose. It’s really rewarding to nurture a plant and watch it grow over time. We’re lucky to live on nine acres of beautiful Kent countryside, with places to grow fresh herbs and veggies, not to mention our bird feeders and regular visits from local deer!
Activities to smell
Who doesn’t love the smell of freshly baked cookies? Our cooking classes strengthen motor skills with ingredient preparation, and baking helps stimulate the olfactory senses. Essential oils such as lavender and citrus scents have also been shown to have a positive impact on well-being, and some smells, like a favourite perfume, can help with maintaining a sense of identity.
As we age, our sense of smell can fade, which can impact appetite and enjoyment of food. It’s also crucial for warning us of any potential dangers, such as gas leaks, or spoiled food that is not safe to eat. Filling our home with our residents’ favourite scents is key for promoting healthy nutrition and cognitive function.
Activities to taste
Our legendary chef, John Anthony, cooks all meals from scratch in our kitchen. It’s important that our meals are filled with strong flavours to stimulate the taste buds, and make nutrition as enjoyable as possible.
Oral hygiene is also crucial, and our team offers proactive dental care to all residents, minimising issues such as gingivitis and periodontitis.
Food is another point of connection – preparing meals can create routine, and lunch is our best time for encouraging social interactions.
As we age, the function of our senses can decline, which can be an isolating feeling. By promoting sensory activities, we encourage our residents to see they’re not alone, and that they still have so much to experience. Have a look at our weekly activity planner for more information.
