Sensory Integration Education

This month's SI Resources blog is focused on older adults and sensory issues.

In this month’s blog, we’ve curated articles, guides, books and products to help better inform ourselves of how sensory loss and sensory differences affect older adults as well as insights and strategies for helping this aging population to better understand and manage their sensory needs.

A Day in the Life of an Older Adult with Sensory Integration Difficulties – taken from SIE’s A Day in the Life of...series, this particular story focuses on Mike, an 85-year-old man who has sensory differences and has recently moved into a care home following a number of falls at home. The article highlights how difficulties with sensory processing and integration can affect older adults in everyday life by taking a look at a typical day in Mike’s life.

Supporting Sensory Wellness in Older Adults - It’s natural for the senses to decline with age. With time, we may struggle to see in low lighting, read find print, hear in crowded rooms, or feel differences in temperature, for example. Understanding sensory changes puts us in a better position to take care of ourselves as we age. This informative article from the National Council on Aging (NCOA) outlines common sensory changes so you know what to expect and how to adapt and highlights diverse sensory activities that help the aging brain stay sharp.

Autism After 65: Making the Most of the Golden Years - Aging is what we all hope for, but are still surprised when the associated challenges occur. There is no existing "list" of challenges for the aging process in individuals on the autism spectrum. The impact of aging, however, can be much more traumatic and/or challenging for autistic elderly individual due to less flexibility (physically and mentally), more sensory issues, and decreasing social skills. This article is not based on research but is based on the author’s personal life experiences and the reports of individuals with whom she has corresponded or personally known for many years.

Improve Your Balance with Silver Sneakers - Ageing is associated with progressive declines in the vestibular and human balance systems. This 8-minute video contains exercise ideas to work on balance and stability. The exercises are well-explained and easy to follow.

Take Care of Your Senses: The Science Behind Sensory Loss and Dementia Risk - We process so much of life through our eyes, ears, and nose. While many older adults experience some decline in their senses as they age, this article from the National Institute on Aging looks at the growing scientific evidence that these changes may also be related to dementia and overall brain health.

6 Sensory Activities for Dementia that Calm and Soothe - Sensory activities for dementia can help to reduce agitation and anxiety, calm nerves and provide comfort. Older adults with Alzheimer’s or dementia can use these simple touch-based activities to occupy their hands and minds in safe, soothing ways.

Creating an Enabling Home for Someone Living with Dementia - For most people living with dementia, it is important to them that they can remain in their own home for as long as possible. This useful resource from Age Scotland offers up tips to creating an enabling home, including sensory-related tips, for individuals with dementia.

A Critical Need Ignored: Inadequate Diagnosis and Treatment of ADHD After Age 60 - ADHD affects individuals of all ages and preliminary research suggests that seniors with ADHD experience unique and evolving symptoms that are commonly mistaken for — and overlap with — normal signs of aging. Misdiagnosis and mismanaged treatment after age 60 are serious problems. This article from ADDitude looks at emerging research and explains how clinicians can better serve older patients.

What is Childhood Dementia? And How Could New Research Help? - Most people associate dementia as a condition that affects adults. However, it can affect children too. Broadly speaking, childhood dementia is caused by any one of more than 100 rare genetic disorders. Although the causes differ from dementia acquired later in life, the progressive nature of the illness is the same. This article from the Conversation takes at the causes, current treatments available and how new research can help.

Books and Product Ideas

	Older Autistic Adults in Their Own Words - The Lost Generation This book* is a must-read for anyone who wants to gain an understanding of what autistic people go through daily in their relationships, family, education and work. This insightful book provides readers with honest first-hand accounts from older autistic adults who share their personal and professional experiences of growing up in a world that lacked information and understanding about autism.
	Caregiver's Guide to Dementia and Alzheimer's Written by a pharmacist and caregiver with over a decade of experience in the field, this book* contains vital information and insights she has gathered through the years, which provides expert guidance, inspiration and practical solutions to help ensure the well-being and happiness of the caregiver and their loved one. Through real-life stories, the author’s empathetic and compassionate writing style helps to provide comfort and reassurance to empower caregivers on this life-altering journey.
	The Multi-Sensory Reminiscence Activity Book Written by experienced occupational therapists, this book* provides detailed session plans for running successful and therapeutically valuable activities within group sessions, from remembering school days to celebrating the natural wonders of the British Isles. Each plan has been developed to be suitable for people with a variety of abilities, including those with dementia, and help to support memory, sensory function, confidence, communication and connection, as well as overall physical and emotional well-being. Activities range from cognitive activities such as word games, food tasting, music and poetry to group discussions. Session plans are accompanied by downloadable colour photographs and word cards to be used as tools for discussion.
	Fidget Muff This fidget muff* provides a variety of fun activities to help keep restless hands occupied! It has a detachable fidget blanket that provides sensory activities for people suffering from memory loss, dementia, autism, Alzheimer’s, ADHD, anxiety, and more. The fidget muff is carefully designed to include various difficulty levels, which makes it ideal for elderly people in all different stages of dementia. The different activities will help to relieve anxiety and keep hands busy in a safe and calming way.
	Sensory Pillow Individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s or dementia can become anxious or nervous when they don’t have something to do with their hands. This sensory pillow* provides a variety of fun sensory activities and will keep restless hands and minds occupied! Holding a comfortable sensory pillow and fiddling with it helps them to relax, practice motor skills and reduce memory loss.
	Seamless Socks For older adults who have difficulty finding comfortable socks due to sensory differences, these bamboo-cotton blend socks combine a hand-linked seamless toe with bamboo to give a softer and more luxurious experience. As bacteria doesn’t like to live and grow in bamboo fibre, this also makes these bamboo socks naturally antibacterial (which is what makes socks smell). It also absorbs moisture from the skin, keeping feet drier and helping to keep foot odour at bay.  Feet need to ‘breathe’ to stay healthy and the bamboo fabric allows feet to stay cool in the heat and comfortably warm on colder days..
*Affiliate link: SIE may earn a commission (at zero cost to you) when you purchase by clicking on an affiliate link. NB: Sensory Integration Education is not responsible for the content on external websites. Sharing a resource does not imply endorsement by Sensory Integration Education.