EmphaSIze June 2024: Older Adults and Sensory Issues
Welcome to the June issue of EmphaSIze where this month we're focusing on Older Adults and Sensory Issues!
As our senses decline with age, we may struggle to see in low lighting, read find print, hear in crowded rooms, or feel differences in temperature, for example. Understanding common sensory changes as we age puts us in a better position to take care of ourselves so we know what to expect.
In this month's EmphaSIze, we've put together useful information, research, articles, books, and product ideas to help better inform ourselves of how sensory loss and sensory differences can affect older adults as well as insights and strategies for helping them to understand and manage their sensory needs.
We’ve also got some exciting events lined up this month, kicking off with our free Sensory Inclusive Schools webinar ‘Supporting Regulation – Feeling Safe in Your Body’ taking place on 6th June (see news article below) closely followed by this year’s annual online RCOT Conference where we're presenting at the end of Day One (more details to be found in the news article below).
News & Features
Sign Up to Our Free Sensory Inclusive Schools Webinar: "Supporting Regulation - Feeling Safe in Your Body"
If you work in an educational setting, we invite you to join us in our upcoming free webinar on 6th June: 'Supporting Regulation: Feeling Safe in Your Body.'
In this webinar, OT and Advanced SI Practitioner Beth Smithson will delve into the often-overlooked sensory processing difficulties present in classrooms and their impact on students' ability to participate and engage in learning. Beth will provide valuable insights to those working in primary, secondary and college settings, exploring the impact of motor skills and interoception on regulation and participation.
The webinar will run at 9.30am and 3.30pm (UK time) on Thursday 6th June. A recording of the event will be made available afterwards to all those who register.
Don't miss this opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of creating a supportive environment for all students. Click here to book your free spot.
See SIE in Action at This Year’s RCOT Conference!
We’re delighted to be attending the RCOT Conference this month (12th – 13th June). Our Occupational Therapists and Advanced Practitioners, Beth Smithson and Lelanie Brewer, will be speaking on Wednesday afternoon from 5:15pm - 6:15pm (UK time). Their presentation, "Empowering Meaningful Occupation Through Sensory Integration in Action," is not to be missed!
Tickets are still available for those interested in exploring the value and future of Occupational Therapy and more details can be found here.
Special June Offer on the Sensory Inclusive Schools Services
Hot off the press, we bring you exciting news of a special offer we’re running when you purchase one of our Sensory Inclusive Schools packages! For the month of June only, the annual licence for any Sensory Inclusive Schools (SIS) package purchased will be automatically extended to 31st July 2025 at no extra charge – giving you peace of mind you’ll have access to all the SIS services available in your package for the whole of the 2024/2025 academic year.
By way of a reminder, the Sensory Inclusive Schools service offers bespoke packages of learning and support for Teachers & Support Staff, SENCos and Professionals working in schools. Each SIS package delivers:
- On-Demand Online Learning: Bite-sized videos by therapists explaining sensory processing principles and practical sensory strategies that work in schools
- Online Community of Learning: Opportunity to ask questions and share breakthroughs with peers in a therapist-moderated online forum.
- Live Peer Support Online Sessions: Invites to weekly* live video calls, led by a therapist, for support and information on how to embed your learning into your classroom (*weekly during term time)
- Downloadable Resources: Access to our downloadable resources for use within your school as well as the opportunity to collaborate with our sensory integration qualified therapists to develop additional resources as needed.
- BONUS: Your Sensory Insights Video from an occupational therapist and advanced sensory integration practitioner which summarises and expands learning from the comments and questions in the online community of learning and peer support sessions. This will ensure learning remains current and tailored to the needs of the Sensory Inclusive School Community.
You can take advantage of this special offer by clicking here and selecting the package or licence most relevant to you. Please note no special code is needed to secure the licence extension to 31st July 2025 – this will be automatically added to any SIS licence or package purchased throughout the month of June.
Living with Sensory Processing Differences as an Adult
When we talk about sensory needs and sensory processing differences, we often think about how these impact children and the strategies that can be put in place to support them. But sensory processing differences impact the daily lives of adults too. For an adult living with sensory differences, there can be many challenges they have to face on a daily basis.
In the first of two blog posts that take a look at sensory processing differences for adults, SIE’s Lelanie Brewer highlights some of the challenges adults face – from meal prepping and cooking to cleaning up after their child or doing the laundry.
Thoughts from a Therapist: What is Gestalt Language Processing?
There are two types of language processing: analytic language processing and gestalt language processing. For most of us, analytic language processing is how we acquire language which involves building from single words upwards. Gestalt language processing is where language is learned in larger units of words or ‘gestalts’ which are whole phrases and can be learnt from songs, stories, videos etc.
In this month’s Thoughts from a Therapist blog, Anna Willis takes a look at gestalt language processing, how it differs from analytic language processing and why gestalt language processors are often misunderstood.
Sensory Loss in Dementia Patients: Understanding the Impact
Living with dementia poses numerous challenges, and one aspect that often goes unnoticed is the impact of sensory loss. While the effect of hearing and sight loss on individuals with dementia has received significant attention, the loss of taste and smell is another crucial aspect that profoundly affects their daily experiences.
In this blog post published last year, we delve into the subject, exploring the challenges faced by dementia patients with sensory loss and providing insights into how we can support them effectively.
Learn more by reading the full blog here.
Also see:
I was diagnosed as autistic at 67 and it explained everything
Diagnosis later in life and sensory demands of parenting ‘disrupt well-being’ of autistic mothers
Autistic community benefitting from quiet dinners as sensory-friendly menus expand
How low sensory gym sessions are attracting more people to Pudsey Leisure Centre
The Broadway in Bradford now has its own sensory room
Resources
We've curated guides, tutorials, books and products to help better inform ourselves about supporting older adults with sensory loss and sensory differences, including:-
- Older Autistic Adults, In Their Own Words: The Lost Generation
- The Multi-Sensory Reminiscence Activity Book
- Fidget Muff
- Sensory Pillow
See our latest resources ideas here.
SI Research Digest
Easy-to-read summaries of all the latest SI research papers, as well as key papers on our theme of Older Adults and Sensory Issues. Click here to view the summaries of the research and access the direct links to the published papers, including:
- Efficacy of Sensory-based Static Balance Training on the Balance Ability, Aging Attitude, and Perceived Stress of Older Adults in the Community: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- Are Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia Related to Sensory Processing?
- ADHD in Older Adults – a Scoping Review
Upcoming Courses and Webinars
We have a number of live webinars that take place throughout the year covering a broad range of SI-related topics. Below is a snapshot of webinars happening over the next few months or click here to view a summary of all the upcoming live events.
All these webinars are available to you by signing up to our Lifelong Learning Programme or can be purchased as individual courses:
- Regulation: Strategies for Development and Support - Live webinar on 18 June 2024
- Reflective Practice - Live webinar on 1 July 2024
- Sensory Informed Practice in Eating Disorders - Live webinar on 18 July 2024
- How to use the Sensory Processing Observation Tool - Acquired Brain Injury (SPOT-ABI) to Assess Individuals with Limited Communication – Recorded webinar available 1 August 2024
Latest Job Listings
Are you thinking of making a career move this year? Check out the latest job listings including:
Occupational Therapist Band 6, Remarkable Autism, Newton-le-Willows, UK
Occupational Therapist Band 5, Remarkable Autism, Newton-le-Willows, UK
Occupational Therapist - Sensory Integration Practitioner, Creative OT, Birmingham, UK
Paediatric Occupational Therapist, Equal Chance Ltd, Kent, UK
Discounts & Special Offers
We've negotiated these exciting discounts for our SIE family!
Please quote DISCOUNT CODE SIE20 for 10% discount on Southpaw orders up to £100. Orders must be placed by phone on +44 (0) 115 718 0020.
Please quote DISCOUNT CODE SIE15 for 15% discount on sensooli.com (Excludes membership and advent boxes).
FREE delivery and set-up (worth up to £250, England and Wales only) on purchases of the omiVista+ and a FREE interactive ball games package worth up to £500. To access this special offer, mention you are an SIE Member when placing your order with OMI.
5% DISCOUNT on purchases of 3 items or more. Orders must be placed by phone and mention you are an SIE member to access this special offer when you are placing your order.
Please quote DISCOUNT CODE SIE2210 for 10% discount when ordering from the online Sensory Smart Store.
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Best wishes,
Sensory Integration Education
NB: Sensory Integration Education is not responsible for the content on external websites. Sharing a resource does not imply endorsement by Sensory Integration Education.
