Sensory Stimulation - Essay Sample

Introduction

Sensory stimulation involves activation of human senses including taste, smell, vision, hearing, and touch. As people age, they experience a decline of their human senses which decreases their quality of life as it limits their ability to interact with the environment. Benefits of sensory stimulation include increased socialization, increased concentration, an improved self-image, and increased alertness; all these results in an improved quality of life for an older adult. Most importantly, old people have a decline in their cognitive functions such as memory, and sensory stimulation of other senses will also have a positive effect in terms of their cognitive functions.

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In activating the sense of smell, one can consider using distinct scents baking, coffee, ginger, cinnamon, vanilla or baby powder and having the old individual smell them. Such distinct odors can activate different types of olfactory receptors thus enhancing the sense of smell. Upon activation of olfactory receptors, there is a relay of signals to the brain for processing. The brain processing areas include the piriform cortex and the thalamus. Smell can also stimulate memory because the thalamus sends signals to the hippocampus and amygdala which are involved in learning and memory. Activating the sense of smell will therefore also help to enhance memory in elderly adults.

In activating sight, one can use bright and soft colors such as orange and soft grey for curtain colors and wall paintings respectively. Having an old person look at pictures of beautiful sceneries or items that give him pleasure may also help to activate the sense of sight. It may also be vital to show them pictures of places they had visited before or lived or photographs of people who are very significant in their lives. The showing of photos will not necessarily improve sight but is vital in improving their memory. Often, specific pictures have an association with particular events in their lives and will, therefore, be beneficial to the individuals.

Regarding the sense of touch, studies show that there is a production of oxytocin which is essential in making a person happier by reducing anxiety and also acting as an anti-depressant hormone. Sensory stimulation for touch can be by giving the elderly a soft massage on the back to stimulate the release of oxytocin (Uvnas-Moberg, Handlin & Petersson, 2015). Touch can also be by doing a manicure for ladies and styling of hair for the older individuals. Where a person loves pets, arrangements can be made to have them interact with the pets.

Stimulating the sense of hearing could be through listening to music themes that individuals identify with most. It should not be deafening music but with controlled noise levels as loud music may stimulate anxiety instead of bringing about a soothing effect. Music intervention is also vital in the management of insomnia in older adults (Huang, Chang, & Lai, 2016). Many old adults, however, have hearing impairments and sensory stimulation alone may not be sufficient intervention.

Finally, the sense of taste is vital more so bringing up memories in older adults. There can be the preparation of foods favorite to an individual in his younger days, and he can be allowed to share the meal with other people. The use of sweets and special drinks is also helpful in boosting the sense of taste. A recent study done uses the concept of electrical taste augmentation to stimulate taste where individuals consume mashed potatoes and miso soup. In the end, there is an increase in perceived saltiness and sourness with unsalted mashed potato (Ranasinghe et al., 2019).

References

Huang, C. Y., Chang, E. T., & Lai, H. L. (2016). Comparing the effects of music and exercise with music for older adults with insomnia. Applied Nursing Research, 32, 104-110.

Ranasinghe, N., Tolley, D., Nguyen, T. N. T., Yan, L., Chew, B., & Do, E. Y. L. (2019). Augmented Flavours: Modulation of Flavour Experiences Through Electric Taste Augmentation. Food Research International, 117, 60-68.

Uvnas-Moberg, K., Handlin, L., & Petersson, M. (2015). Self-soothing behaviors with particular reference to oxytocin release induced by non-noxious sensory stimulation. Frontiers in psychology, 5, 1529.