Aug 25 / Liz Woods

The five senses in residential care

The five senses — sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell play a huge role in shaping everyday experiences, especially for older adults living in residential care.

According to Sodexo’s report 'Why the Five Senses Matter for Quality of Life', stimulating the senses can boost wellbeing, trigger memories, and create feelings of comfort and belonging.


Sometimes, it is the very small things that actually mean the most to someone.

Below is a downloadable list of some examples of how you can be be mindful of the five senses for older adults.

These are just examples and should be implemented in conjunction with the resident needs, wants and abilities along with advice from their medical teams, physiotherapists and or occupational therapist. 

The use of essential oils can be an effective way to stimulate the sense of smell. Please fill in the contact form for training in how to use essential oils effectively and safely in your nursing home. 

Until next time,

Liz 

The five senses in residential care checklist


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