There are some common warning signs for when a senior needs to start working with sensory activities because his sensory process is not working right, according to Rice Memorial Hospital in Minnesota. One sign is that seniors may have an unusually high or low activity level, indicating that there is a problem with their motor development. Coordination problems are another indication of a motor development disruption. Another common sign is the delay when seniors are unable to care for themselves, especially when they are having problems coordinating what the mind is telling the body to do.
Sensory activities can range from popping bubble wrap to working on a puzzle. With the bubble wrap activity, each senior receives one sheet of bubble wrap and then starts popping it. This works well for seniors who may suffer from dementia or Alzheimer's Disease because it stimulates their mind with one simple activity that does not take much thought or memory. It does take some physical coordination to push the bubbles down. Putting together a puzzle stimulates the minds of seniors and also improves hand-eye coordination skills.
Sensory activities need to contain certain elements in order to be productive for seniors. The activity needs a specific, reachable goal and should also be of some interest to the participant. It should also fit an individual's mental and physical restrictions so he will be able to fully participate. Appropriate sensory activities are designed to be fun and flexible in case the needs of the individual change during the activity. These activities promote success and should not be designed for possible failure.
Sensory activities provide many benefits to seniors. Rice Memorial Hospital states that seniors pay attention, participate and learn better from sensory based activities. They also have a decreased rate of accidents, fear and anxiety. By working on the interaction between their brains and bodies, seniors feel more in control of their responses to different situations. These activities also improve the social skills of seniors and enable them to communicate their emotions. They also feel more confident to make the right decisions when presented.