Sensory Activity Ideas for Seniors & the Elderly
The sensory functions of elders decline as they grow older. Sensory activities improve the emotional and physical health of people living with dementia.Mardi Gras is a colorful and joyous celebration, making it perfect for a sensory experience for your small group or individual interaction. Remember, choose items from at least two sensory categories to use during your time.
Save Download
We set up our activity room with china tea cups and saucers, a plate of biscuits and a scorecard with the names of 5 types of tea.
Member Activity
Save DownloadThis is a daily devotion service you can offer your residents. I do mine daily M-F and it takes only 5-10 minutes.
3 Comments Member Activity
Save DownloadThis month, create a Coffee Cart that goes around door-to-door once per week. You can use this time to have meaningful moments with each of your residents, which is especially important during pandemic precautions.
3 Comments
Save DownloadThe quiet of a local library and the feeling of settling in to enjoy a good book can be comforting to many of your residents. Tap into the magic of literature by trying out a sensory kit inspired by the library.
Save Download
We alternated bird and humming bird feeders and within a day or two the birds were just having a feast. What a great pleasant distraction for our clients.
4 Comments Member Activity
Save DownloadEveryone loves a day at the beach, and this theme is perfect for sensory stimulation kits.
Save Download
A delicious sensory experience for seniors!
1 Comment Member Activity
Save DownloadFor most of our residents, a homemade pie or cobbler was a part of their summer experience. You can recreate those memories by stimulating the senses by building a sensory kit to use during small groups or during 1:1 interactions.
Member Activity
Save DownloadBird watching is an easy in-room activity! I created a 2-page Publisher document with names and pictures of birds (and other creatures) to look for outside. You can easily adapt to your community by adding your community's name, and birds that are common around your part of the world.
3 Comments Member Activity
SaveCelebrate Mothers and Mother-Figures with a sensory kit designed to connect with residents of all abilities. You can use this is a group setting or during 1:1 visits, taking out one object at a time to examine and discuss.
Save Download
Host a Let’s Fly a Kite Social for your residents, or turn this into an intergenerational activity by inviting family to participate on a weekend. Kite flying is fun for all ages, which makes this social a hit no matter who participates.
2 Comments
Save DownloadIf your community doesn’t already have a Gardening Club or residents, this time of year is a great time to start one. Remember, not everyone in the Club needs to have a green thumb - everyone can learn from one another!
2 Comments
Save DownloadBring the secular and spiritual parts of Easter and Passover to your residents by developing sensory kits based on the traditions.
Save Download
Springtime is the ideal time to add a garden-inspired sensory experience to your 1:1 visits or to your small sensory groups.
2 Comments
Save DownloadOrange Volcano sidents I work with all have a diagnosis of dementia, but at many different stages. This creates a challenge for getting group activities going.
4 Comments Member Activity
Save DownloadFebruary is a great month to celebrate love in all its forms. While your calendar may be full of love song socials and Valentine making craft projects, you can also bring a bit of love into your 1:1 visits or small sensory stimulation groups.
2 Comments
Save DownloadColourful decorations to brighten residents' own rooms.
7 Comments Member Activity
Save DownloadUse these items to put together a sensory kit based on a warm cup of coffee or tea. Remember, you can mix and match these items to create your own kit combination based on what you have on hand and what your residents prefer.
Save Download
Here are some calming sensory activities that are particularly suitable for residents living with dementia. They include familiar scents, kneading and shaping. Chamomile Play Dough + Lavender Rice Tray.
2 Comments
Save DownloadThere are plenty of reasons to throw together a festive hot cocoa bar this month, and it’s always a hit with guests young and old alike. Here’s everything you need to get your hot cocoa bar tradition going.
2 Comments
Save DownloadSo much of the holiday season is sensory! Unlock memories and encourage relaxation by using scents, sights, and sounds of the season with any of these holiday sensory kits.
1 Comment
Save DownloadCooking is one activity that engages all five senses. There are plenty of simple ways to immerse residents in a cooking activity: measuring, adding, stirring, mixing etc. is Make it safe and enjoyable for everyone.
1 Comment
Save DownloadBefore beginning, I do a short talk about the many benefits of meditation, (improved memory, better sleep, less anxiousness etc) to reinforce their willingness to attend. Keep to a slow pace, watch the tone of your voice, keep it happy and light and give your group time to absorb each sentence you say. Enjoy.
9 Comments Member Activity
Save DownloadThis is really good fun and we were all amazed, it really is magic! Just 3 ingredients.
15 Comments Member Activity
Save DownloadNovember is the ideal time to harness the excitement about counting blessings and start habits that some of your residents could continue for the months to come.
Save Download
The fall and winter seasons are ideal for creating a few sensory kits that encourage coziness and relaxation. You can keep these kits in your office and use them during 1:1 interactions or for small groups.
Save Download
Allow yourself to feel as comfortable as possible for a really wonderful relaxation is about to begin. Relaxing is our intent today. Just a small time relaxing can be very beneficial. This is the time you gift yourself for just caring about your inner wellness which glows from within.
3 Comments Member Activity
Save DownloadHonor residents of Jewish background and faith by putting together a sensory kit based on Rosh Hashanah traditions.
2 Comments
Save DownloadChoose positive, pleasant, interesting articles. Residents that have dementia or limited reading skills will enjoy reading them.
4 Comments Member Activity
Save DownloadThis meditation about Autumn and "change" assists the elderly to cope with the changes that are inevitable.
9 Comments Member Activity
Save DownloadWhile your residents may not be able to explore different parts of the world in person, you can give them the next best thing - a full travel experience without leaving the activity room!
2 Comments Member Activity
Save DownloadPrints can be used to cover bulletin boards in rooms or cut to make greeting cards.
1 Comment Member Activity
Save DownloadWe have a portable turntable and lots of records from back in the day, so I got a group of residents together for the afternoon. I gave them the choice of what they wanted to listen to but also chose a few to see if they could guess who was singing or what the song was called.
2 Comments Member Activity
Save DownloadWe learned this brief activity from the exercises of our wonderful drama therapist Danielle.
3 Comments Member Activity
Save DownloadMassage has a profound effect on the sensory nervous system, stimulating blood flow and improving health and wellbeing. For the elderly, many of whom are touch deprived, the benefits of massage go well beyond the physical.
5 Comments
Save DownloadTouch is important for everyone; it is an essential part of our well-being. For the elderly, the healing power of human touch cannot be underestimated. Unfortunately, many seniors do not experience the simple act of touch on a daily basis.
15 Comments
Save DownloadSensory Mats or Fidget Blankets provide a soothing and stimulating activity for people living with dementia or recovering from strokes.
10 Comments
Save DownloadTwiddlemuffs (or twiddlemitts) are knitted hand-warmers that provide sensory stimulation for people living with dementia. They keep restless hands busy and soothe and comfort those who are anxious or agitated.
41 Comments
Save DownloadIn nursing homes and other long term care facilities, the morning and afternoon coffee breaks are very special times when residents may welcome relatives and visitors to enjoy a cup of tea or coffee; strengthen friendships, and catch up with peers and staff.
6 Comments
Save DownloadThese touchy-feely sensory pouches (also known as squish bags and sensory pads) are a wonderful way to explore the senses. They are also so easy to make! Making sensory pouches is a quick and inexpensive way to make an engaging and relaxing sensory activity for people living with dementia.
55 Comments Video
Save DownloadSensory stimulation with familiar scents. A fun activity for seniors and the elderly living with dementia.
34 Comments
Save DownloadFor many seniors, sore feet are a part of daily life due to the wear and tear of years gone by. Delight your clients by introducing foot spa sessions into your Activity Program.
1 Comment
Save DownloadThis is a great activity for sitting folks around a table reminiscing, uses all the senses!
20 Comments Member Activity
Save DownloadStringing beads is a simple and affordable activity for seniors that produces beautiful and satisfying results. This activity can be adapted to suit people living with dementia.
4 Comments
Save DownloadWind chimes have been known to have a healing effect on the mind; reducing stress and promoting relaxation with their soothing melodies created by the wind.
7 Comments
Save DownloadI work in a secure dementia wing and I found this activity excellent, even for vision impaired.
Thank you Marina for submitting this activity!
16 Comments Member Activity
Save DownloadA funny and engaging game you can play with playdough and a little imagination!
Thanks Christine for this fabulous idea!
5 Comments Member Activity
Save DownloadPeople living with dementia can benefit greatly from exposure to soothing and sensory environments.
25 Comments
Save DownloadEvocation of familiar scents to stimulate long-term memories. Ideal for sight impaired seniors.
4 Comments
Save DownloadThe benefits of sensory activities in dementia care cannot be underestimated. It can be as simple as taking your resident to the garden or using a diffuser with some lavender and geranium essential oils in the sitting room.
4 Comments
Save DownloadThis is a wonderful sensory activity that can reduce anxiety, provide reassurance and a sense of comfort.
32 Comments
Save DownloadSensory stimulation. Reduce stiffness. A good alternative if your client cannot use the bath.
1 Comment
Save DownloadEngagement of residents in tasks they used to do in their own home. A very calming activity. Ideal for people living with dementia.
20 Comments
Save DownloadThis suits all levels of dementia and ability. One lady can only smile. And she grinned from ear to ear when a balloon came her way.
6 Comments Member Activity
Save DownloadJoyous interaction with self and others is vital to health. I do not believe that puppetry is too childish for the aged.
3 Comments Member Activity
Save DownloadI have bought a wide variety of teas from around the world. Each resident will have a china cup, we will have a bucket for any slops and some fresh water to rinse the cups.
7 Comments Member Activity
Save DownloadSensory stimulation is the activation of one or more of the senses such as taste, smell, sight, hearing, and touch. Sensory stimulation is a key component for improving the quality of life of people living with dementia.
15 Comments
Save DownloadI have also introduced an activity called "Mindfulness". It is a tool used by psychologist to help people with anxiety, depression, stress and other such ailments.
7 Comments Member Activity
Save DownloadProvide residents with a sensory experience of warm scented washers using essential oil sweet orange.
2 Comments Member Activity
Save DownloadThe sensory functions of elders decline as they grow older and this can impact on their feelings of well-being. Multi-sensory stimulation is becoming increasingly popular in nursing homes based on impressive results. Sensory activities contribute to the emotional and physical health of people living with dementia. Sensory activities can be non-verbal; thereby crossing cultural boundaries.
14 Comments
Save DownloadSensory salt Garden can assist with behaviours and also serves as a communication tool, along with making your home smell wonderful. Let the imagination run free.
3 Comments Member Activity
Save DownloadMake Homemade Snow quickly and easily! Great for winter events like the Winter Olympics.
4 Comments Member Activity
Save DownloadThese are great for outdoor fun. However don't let wet weather stop you from playing indoors!
Save Download
Make your own sensory quilts to ease agitated or restless clients.
Thank you Chantal for this wonderful idea!
14 Comments Member Activity
Save DownloadIt's not everyday you have a giant fish swimming above your head as if by magic. Thank you Ron for this great idea!
8 Comments Member Activity
Save DownloadStimulation of taste senses. Provision of enjoyment.
4 Comments
Save DownloadEnhance memories and provide stimulation by utilising interesting textures.
Save Download
Provide sensory stimulation and enjoyment, ideal activity for Mother's Day
12 Comments
Save DownloadRelieve muscle aches and increase circulation using essential oil compresses
1 Comment
Save DownloadTime out to relax and quiet the mind. A simple and effective way to use essential oils.
Save Download