Simple Sensory Activities

This article has been designed to assist carer's & care teams in finding simple ways of introducing sensory experiences into the daily lives of the people they care for within our communities.

The most recognized sensory systems are those for sight, sounds, touch, tastes and smell.

Our sensory system requires regular stimulation to enable it to function at its best. If our sensory system has problems, it is essential to find new ways of stimulating our sensory system.

Please note, not all the suggestions within this article are suitable for everyone, so each person within your care must be individually reviewed to see if they are suitable / appropriate to participate in sensory sessions, and more importantly the intended activity is appropriate for your client!.

Consider Audio & Visual Sensory Stimulation + Extra's

Ask some simple questions and record this information:

Favourite AnimalsFavourite BirdsFavourite HolidayMemorable household itemFavourite Musical InstrumentsFavourite Sport or activityBest Theatre ShowFavourite MovieLast or best car they ownedFavourite colourFavourite food

You may have this information on file already, if so- have you recently checked what was recorded?

This type of information is very important when starting any sensory work, remember if you intend purchasing & playing music or films it should be music and films that your new clients like and enjoy.

Selecting things your clients will enjoy is just as important when selecting a film or programme. This may sound very simple, but many people presume that what they already have available is what the clients like, but this is not always correct. Sometimes what you purchased for another client's needs; this is called inherited activity equipment. This is good cost saving, but must not get confused with being suitable for your existing clients likes, taste and choice.

Tips for running a simple sensory activity session

Audio & Visual activities can come in all shapes and sizes, so some require lots of preparation but others not too much, depending on your intentions!

Never look at the negative challenges involved in setting up & running activities, just focus on potential results & outcomes.Be realistic on the time and effort required for each activity.Try new ideas, and be open to new suggestions.Look at the equipment you have, and source extra equipment if required.What location is best suited for your intended activities.Inform all your colleagues of your activity programme, and more importantly when you will be running activities.Have a clear written plan for each activity, detailing all your planning and preparation. Also recording aims & objectives and outcomes.Have a plan B. just in case things need changing.Always focus on what your clients can achieve - NOT what they can't!And don't forget Have some Fun!

Remember the T.V. /Equipment can be classed as a piece of sensory equipment.

The television can be a good piece of activity equipment that you already have, but remember to check:

Does it work properly (good picture/good sound quality).Can all your clients see the T.V. clearly?Sound quality?What's being watched? & at what times of the day.DO YOU know how to use the controls?DVD or Video'sPut up a sign, asking for DVD & VIDEO donations (in the right format).What else can we offer our clients to watch & when!

Films / Programmes

Ideas include could include some of the following:

Holiday Films,Nature Programmes,Home Movies,Relaxation imagesClassic MoviesTheatre recordingsStage shows

Music

Sing-Along sessionsTheme Days ( a different countries music)Theme Days ( 1930's /1940's/1950's/1960's)Sounds of Nature Hour (Have a quiz on what sounds they hear).Music or sounds in the background, at times when there is disturbing sounds, (like the Hoover).Make music with your clients, play a simple piece of music, play musical instruments along with the tune.Musical movies, and make song sheets for your clients & you.Classic music HourRelaxation sessions using chill-out music.

Try introducing new music tastes!

Now how can we build on this to add more sensory stimulation?

Example of a simple sensory activity

Consider playing a DVD of British Birds.

Watching and hearing the birds are two of our senses being stimulated-sight and sound, but what about our other three senses-touch, taste, and smell.

Touch - selection of birds feathers. Or be brave a take in a Parrot to your session.

Taste - try drinking cold fresh water. The same as a bird would do in the wild, talk about what birds eat, like fruit-then eat some fruit.

Smell - take in a caged bird like canary, even a clean cage has a little smell. Get a branch from a pine tree, smell the branch and talk about the smells that birds smell in the wild.

This simple example of a T.V. based sensory activity can be replicated very easily and at very low cost. As simple as it sounds these are the basic fundamentals around all sensory sessions. You don't need to have a big budget; you don't need to take hours of preparation. All you need is a little time and ask your clients a few simple questions, remembering the key words that we all follow in health and social care, Dignity, choice and respect.

Your only limitation is your imagination.....

Tony Duke is a physical activity trainer and consultant for the health and social care sector and is a GP Exercise Referral Consultant. He and his wife Zoe manage Vitalyz Limited, working in the health and social care sector throughout the UK.

Vitalyz Limited, St Croix, 37 Preston Road, Portsmouth, PO2 7JT, http://www.vitalyz.co.uk/, info@vitalyz.co.uk

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