Sensory activities have become a staple in dementia care because they are a direct way to engage the senses and connect seniors with their past and present, says John Moniz, Executive Director at Bridges® by EPOCH at Hingham. “Sensory activities provide stimulation to one or more of the senses, which then focuses awareness and attention on the task and can improve the emotional and physical health of the senior,” he says. “Our sensory functions lessen as we get older, so it’s important to find activities that really stimulate a specific sense in a big way. This will allow participants to gain the biggest benefit.”
The winter months bring many opportunities for unique sensory activities, which is great during a season where you and your loved one will probably be cooped up inside for long stretches of time. “Practically any activity can become a sensory activity with just a few tweaks,” John says. “The trick is to look at different activities, especially ones that you know he or she loves, and lean in to the sensory aspect of the activity in order to make it truly engaging and satisfying.”
Since we are still dealing with the effects of COVID-19, winter sensory activities are a great alternative to socialization (which may not be possible at the moment) and can help keep everyone in your home entertained. Here are some wintertime activities that will stimulate the senses and bring joy to your loved one with dementia – and, by extension, you.
Feed the birds.
Birdwatching is one of the simple pleasures of life, and during the winter months, seeing feathered friends at the feeders is enough to make anyone smile. You can purchase bird feeders and hang them outside the window, or make one by gluing a cup and saucer together and placing it somewhere stable. Be sure you put the feeders in a place where you’ll be able to see them from a comfy chair.
Enjoy a wintertime beverage.
Everyone enjoys eating (or drinking) treats, and warm drinks during the winter months are a wonderful way to stay cuddly while enjoying something tasty. Make hot cocoa and top it with marshmallows, whipped cream or even crushed up candy canes. There are all sorts of different things you can add to your hot cocoa to change the flavor – consider trying several different versions to see which one you and your loved one like best.
Savor a sweet breakfast.
Shake your breakfast routine up and have a bowl of oatmeal or other warm cereal in the morning. Oatmeal is great because you can add all sorts of different things to it to change the taste and texture. Raisins, fruit, nuts, brown sugar and others – there are even savory options. Play around and see which ones your loved one likes or doesn’t. He or she may also have some original and inspired ideas of what to put in their bowl.
Wrap up in a blanket.
Quilts are great for keeping us warm, but they also are a great source of sensory exploration. Most quilts are made up of different fabrics and patterns, which feel and look different from one square to the next. Sit with your loved one and look at the colors on the quilt. Is there a story associated with it? Talk about it.
Get cooking.
There are all sorts of delicious winter goodies and dishes that can be made (and best of all, turning on the oven makes things comfortable instead of overheating the space like it does in the summertime). Pull out your favorite recipes and cook or bake with your loved one. Cooking uses all the senses, from smell to taste to touch to sight and even hearing.
Watch the weather.
The weather can change drastically from day to day during the winter. Use that opportunity to engage your loved one. Consider setting up a rain gauge or a weathervane so you can always tell at a glance what’s happening in nature. When it snows, can you measure it to see how much has fallen? If the weather cooperates, consider bundling up and taking a walk around the block to see how the sights and sounds of your neighborhood are affected by different weather patterns.
Make an aromatherapy pillow.
Scent is strongly associated with memory, which is why aromatherapy is such a great tool for memory care treatment. Making a rice pillow is a fun activity that will also be beneficial for when your loved one is chilled and needs a little extra warmth. You can stuff the rice pillow with sprigs of lavender or other favorite herbs, or you can sprinkle it with essential oils. Play around with different options to see which one your loved one likes best.
Play in the snow.
Going outside while it’s snowing can be fun for a short time – but for some, it may be too cold and uncomfortable. So instead, bring in snow from outside to play with in a bin. Yes, it’s cold, but it can also be used to make mini snowmen indoors. Or it’s fun to simply touch and mold in your hands. Be sure to keep plenty of towels on hand!
Create winter in a bag.
Sensory bags are becoming more and more popular for both young children with autism and older adults with dementia. These tools are a great way to provide sensory stimulation that’s also self-contained and won’t get a mess everywhere. Create a winter-themed bag with glitter, clear hair gel, tapioca pearls, small figurines, sequins and anything else that you think might be enjoyable to squish and swirl.
Whatever type of activity you and your loved one get up to, remember to take photos and document the time together. Then, when you print them out and put them in a photo book, you’ve created yet another sensory and reminiscence activity that you can come back to time and time again.
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