Written by Nancy Ewald
Co-founder of Activity Connection
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What Are Sensory Stimulation Activities, Really, and How to Make Them Meaningful
Sensory stimulation is often used to help seniors living with Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia because the senses tend to be among the last functions to decline. Engaging the senses—smell, taste, sight, hearing, and touch—can help these individuals stay present and interact with their surroundings. It can evoke positive thoughts and emotions, elicit pleasant memories, improve mood, and, in general, improve overall well-being.
“Engaging the senses in a purposeful way not only stimulates the brain, but also restores dignity, identity, and connection for those with cognitive impairment.”
— Dr. Anne Basting, gerontologist and founder of TimeSlips Creative Storytelling
There are many benefits of sensory stimulation activities, but what are they, really? First, let’s explore…
What Are Sensory Activities?
It might be more helpful to ask, “What activities are NOT sensory activities?” Can you name an activity that does not use one or more of the senses (sight, hearing, touch, smell, taste)? Think about it.
(Insert Jeopardy tune) Da, de, dum, dum, da, de dum…
Okay, maybe sleeping, daydreaming, or meditation, but even in those instances, a case might be made that the brain and internal organs are still processing sensory information.
Even something like reading, which seems passive, involves:
- Sight: Seeing the words on the page
- Touch: Feeling the pages as you turn them
- Hearing: Perhaps listening to the voice in your head read the words
So, technically, there are very few activities that completely avoid using any of the senses. Every event on your monthly calendar could be labeled a sensory activity, which leads to the next question…
Are All Activities Sensory Stimulation Activities?
All activities might be sensory, but that does not mean that all activities are sensory beneficial to individuals with cognitive impairment.
The goal of sensory stimulation is not just to use the senses. It is to find the sensory activity that connects, triggers a memory, or elicits a positive emotional response.
Not everything works for everybody. It needs to be personalized.
Make It Personal
Here are some real-life examples:
- Mary loves music, but she doesn’t seem very engaged when listening to Beethoven’s Fifth. Turn on some Garth Brooks or bluegrass music, and her feet start tapping.
- Herman doesn’t seem interested in discussing pictures of old cars, and you might find him heading for the exit. But bring up the topic of horses, and he is off to the races. (He is a retired jockey.)
- Helen loves arranging fresh flowers for the dining room centerpieces. It reminds her of working in her garden. She comes alive when she smells the flowers. She can name each one and recalls her gardening days fondly. But making faux flower door decorations? Not her thing.
- Evelyn, an award-winning baker, still lights up licking the spoon after mixing cake batter.
- Orville will happily greet a visiting dog, but he’s not a cat person!
In each case, the right kind of sensory input sparks connection and joy.
For the activity to be beneficial, it must awaken the senses and elicit a positive response. Therefore, plan activities that provide the appropriate sensory stimulation, not just sensory activities.
“Effective sensory activities must be individualized, drawing on the person’s life story to spark recognition and emotional response.”
— Teepa Snow, dementia care educator and founder of Positive Approach to Care
Sensory Stimulation Is the Benefit, Not the Activity
Sensory stimulation isn’t a category of activities. It is the benefit derived from participating in normal activities or life tasks.
Our sense of smell is stimulated when we smell roses. The activity is smelling the rose. The benefit is olfactory stimulation. Our sense of touch is stimulated when we get a hand massage. The activity is a hand massage. The benefit is tactile stimulation.
Other examples:
- Activity: Listening to music
Benefit: Auditory stimulation
- Activity: Eating popcorn
Benefit: Gustatory stimulation and probably olfactory stimulation
Framing your programming this way maintains the focus on the participant’s response, not just the action.
Make It Meaningful! Avoid Meaningless Tasks
Let’s say you ask someone to smell a scratch-and-sniff card to check for a response. What kind of activity are you doing? Not sure? If you’re confused, imagine how puzzling it would be to someone who might already be confused. They might be thinking, “Why am I doing this?”
Instead, turn it into a game and ask the person to match a scent with a picture or guess what ingredient is in a recipe. Then the activity makes more sense. Now it has purpose. “I am playing a game” or “I’m helping make cookies.”
Similarly, feeling different fabric scraps might provide tactile stimulation, but it would not be a SENSE-ible activity. Instead, ask for help sorting old fabric scraps, which can become a voluntary helping activity that stimulates the sense of touch. Even better, bring in vintage garments made from different fabrics and plan a discussion about fashion trends. Feel the fabrics, describe what the article is, and when it might be worn.
All sensory activities should make sense. They should relate to a normal activity or task.
Keep It Real! Why Real Props Matter
Use real props in real-life contexts whenever possible.
A fresh flower is preferable to a photo, although a realistic photo is often more appealing than a clipart cutout.
No need to use orange essential oil on a card when there are real oranges. After all, an orange looks like an orange, feels like an orange, and it even smells and tastes like an orange.
Using real props for sensory stimulation activities provides participants with numerous helpful clues and ways to connect.
“Sensory stimulation uses everyday objects to awaken one or more of the five senses and can help people with dementia feel safe, relaxed, and comforted.” —Alzheimer’s Association
Even for individuals who are comatose with severe brain injuries or other conditions, using authentic and meaningful stimulation offers the best chance of reaching them. For example, instead of using essential oil, place an orange in their hand and gently lift it to their face so they can smell or taste it.
Final Thoughts: Plan SENSE-ibly
Sensory stimulation isn’t about random objects or gimmicks. It’s about creating moments of connection using stimuli that are relevant, familiar, and enjoyable for each individual.
So, plan activities that make sense, feel real, and awaken the senses with purpose. Begin by observing what lights someone up—whether it’s a scent, a song, or a shared memory—and build from there. Personalize with purpose!
Visit the EZ Does It feature on Activity Connection for a new sensory program every month. To learn more about sensory stimulation programming, check out the Making Sense: Enrichment Sensory Program—and enjoy a limited-time 20% discount exclusively for blog readers at checkout.
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