
Apr 22, 2025
Help Residents Avoid These New Senior ScamsHave you ever encountered a scent that brought back a flood of memories? According to Scientific American, many people have experienced this. Research supports the idea that scent is a powerful trigger for memories. Our senses play a pivotal, and sometimes overlooked, role in our daily lives. By engaging senior senses, senior care facilities add joy to their residents’ daily experiences.
According to the National Institute on Aging, there appears to be a link between the decline in senses some people experience as they age and dementia and overall brain health. Approximately one in three adults have vision problems or vision loss by age 65, whereas nearly one in two have hearing problems by age 75. A loss of smell is also increasingly common with age. Sensory decline contributes to social isolation and may also increase a person’s cognitive load because the brain is forced to work harder.
Given this connection, it’s unsurprising that sensory stimulation has been used for people with dementia. Research published in Clinical Interventions in Aging also found a link between sensory and memory stimulation and improved communication among dementia patients in long-term care settings. Sensory therapies also provide physical and emotional comfort without the negative side effects associated with many medications, such as an increased risk of falls.
By engaging the senses, senior care facilities make daily life more interesting and joyful for residents. Sensory stimulation may even help with memory and cognition issues and other problems associated with dementia.
However, each resident is different. Some residents may be particularly sensitive to certain scents, tastes, sounds, or textures. These sensory experiences may even cause them to recall unpleasant or traumatic memories. Therefore, it’s important to pay attention to individual residents and create a personalized approach, while documenting any negative reactions to make other staff members aware.
There are nearly endless possibilities to engage the five senses. Some ideas to consider include:
The five senses are how we interact with the world. By engaging the senses, residential care facilities can create richer experiences that evoke fond memories. PCH Mutual offers a free benefit called Resident Stories to help you collect and save valuable information–including what delights their senses. This personalized insight can be saved in their file or room to help foster connection and enrich their daily lives.
Tangram provides residential care facility insurance through the Personal Care & Assisted Living Insurance Center (PCALIC) as well as resources to help manage risks and protect the residents in your care. Learn more.