In July 2025, U.S. News & World Report published an article about sensory therapy for dementia patients. To highlight the importance and provide real-world examples of sensory therapy in a dementia care setting, they interviewed our very own memory care expert—Traci Wagner, regional director of memory care at Sunrise Senior Living.
What is Sensory Therapy and How Is It Beneficial?
Sensory therapy, also known as multisensory stimulation, uses the five senses to trigger positive emotions and memories, promote relaxation, and improve overall well-being for individuals with dementia.
This type of therapy is proven to improve seniors’ general health, according to research on multisensory stimulation cognitive effects. It can even improve cognitive functions in some older adults with dementia.
It’s sometimes used by senior living communities as a key dementia care practice. At Sunrise, it’s used on a regular basis to enhance residents’ lives in our memory care neighborhoods.
Wagner states that sensory therapy is especially beneficial in middle to late dementia stages because of the communication challenges that may cause an increase in anxiety or disconnection.
How Does Sensory Therapy Engage the Senses?
Sensory therapy engages the five senses with visual, auditory, gustatory, olfactory, and tactile elements to help soothe agitation and encourage reminiscence in seniors with dementia.
Sight
Visuals are very critical in influencing the state of mind of a person living with dementia. A cluttered or crowded space can easily agitate someone with dementia while soft lighting, simple colors, and intentional visuals can promote calmness.
Some visual elements that may help with agitation and memory recall may include:
- Family photos
- Light therapy
- Engaging or calming artwork
- Projections of calming environments
Sound
Auditory stimulation can help soothe dementia symptoms. Wagner says certain songs or sounds "can evoke powerful memories and create meaningful opportunities for reminiscing.”
There are many benefits of music for seniors with dementia. When used in dementia care settings, it’s often referred to as music therapy, which has been proven to significantly enhance cognitive functions, according to research on music therapy’s cognitive benefits.
Some common auditory stimulation options used in dementia care include:
- Favorite music playlists
- Nature sounds (ocean waves, birds chirping, rain, crackling fire, etc.)
- Audiobooks of favorite books
- Singing or reading aloud
Effective sounds vary from person to person. While a certain rock song may spark memories for someone who used to attend several rock concerts, it may upset someone else who has always preferred to be out in nature.
Wagner shared a story about a life enrichment manager who was able to connect with a resident living with moderate dementia who no longer spoke English after dementia caused her to revert to her first language. The manager found a lullaby in the resident’s native language and sang it with her to help the resident engage and feel comfortable.
Taste
Flavor is often associated with core memories for many people. That’s exactly why it’s particularly effective in providing comfort and helping with memory recall in seniors with dementia.
High-contrast tableware is also shown to effect appetite, according to a study on visual contrast and food intake. That’s why some memory care communities use certain colors or designs. At Sunrise, our memory care dining rooms use Fiesta chinaware and contrasting linens, which are shown to increase appetite and increase consumption of meals.
Smell
Certain scents can trigger positive emotional and autobiographic memories in individuals with dementia, according to olfactory stimulation dementia research. This can in turn help improve the quality of life and well-being of seniors with dementia.
"The sense of smell is powerful because it is directly linked to the brain's limbic system, which governs emotions and memory and explains why certain scents can instantly evoke vivid memories or strong emotional reactions," Wagner explains. "For example, the smell of a cigar or freshly mowed grass may evoke feelings associated with a father or grandfather or of childhood playing in the yard."
To reap the benefits of olfactory stimulation, memory care communities may use the following:
- Essential oils (lavender, lemon balm, peppermint, bergamot, chamomile, etc.)
- Scented lotions or air fresheners
- Scented candles
- Foods (fresh baked cookies, cinnamon rolls, barbecue, etc.)
Touch
Both physical touch and tactile stimulation can reassure and comfort individuals with dementia.
To help memory care residents engage in tactile stimulation, Wagner suggests using fabrics of different textures, such as canvas, silk, velvet, and fleece. This can help residents have something comforting to fold or feel between their fingers.
Wagner recalls when a Sunrise reminiscence coordinator personalized a sensory experience for a resident who loved the ocean: “She warmed a container of sand in the sun, then invited the resident to place their bare feet into it while ocean sounds played softly in the background.”
This sparked a moment of connection and engagement for this resident who is normally reserved and withdrawn.
Memory care communities may use some of the following objects to promote tactile stimulation in residents:
- Different textured quilts and blankets
- Fidget items or boards
- Earthy objects (pinecones, acorns, rocks, etc.)
In addition, tactile stimulation is one of the many benefits of owning a pet. Petting a dog or cat, or even a robotic pet, can help soothe those living with dementia. Many of our Sunrise communities have community pets so residents can enjoy the joy of animals.
How Does Sunrise Implement Sensory Therapy?
As you can tell from Wagner’s stories, sensory therapy is fully integrated into our memory care neighborhoods at Sunrise. You can see it in our community’s design features, dining program, activities, and more.
“We introduce one sense at a time, allowing for a gentle, personalized approach,” says Wagner. “Additionally, we monitor responses to ensure the experience is soothing rather than overwhelming. To avoid sensory fatigue, sessions are kept brief yet meaningful, offering comfort and connection in a way that respects the resident’s needs.”
Some Sunrise communities also offer reflection rooms which “typically feature water elements or soft background music, along with a Snoezelen cart filled with sensory items to engage all five senses,” says Wagner.
If you have a loved one at home with dementia who could benefit from additional dementia support like sensory therapy, you may want to consider memory care. You can talk to a team member at a Sunrise community near you. They’ll happily answer any questions you may have about our distinctive approach to memory care.
References
[1] Octary, T., Fajarini, Arifin, H., Chen, R., Sung, C., Chang, L., Wang, C., Banda, K. J., & Chou, K. (2025, May). Multisensory stimulation reduces neuropsychiatric symptoms and enhances cognitive function in older adults with dementia: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. The Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease.
[2] Dunne, T. E., Neargarder, S. A., Cipolloni, P. B., & Cronin-Golomb, A. (2004, August). Visual contrast enhances food and liquid intake in advanced Alzheimer's disease. Clinical Nutrition.
[3] D’Andrea, F., Tischler, V., Dening, T., & Churchill, A. (2022, April). Olfactory stimulation for people with dementia: A rapid review. Dementia (London).