Sensory Stimulation & Multi-Sensory Environments Flashcards

Which sense is most strongly associated with triggering autobiographical memory and emotional responses in older adults?

Answer: Smell (olfaction)

Olfaction has direct connections to the limbic system, making smell the most powerful sense for triggering autobiographical memories and emotional responses.

What is 'tactile defensiveness' in the context of sensory stimulation programming?

Answer: A heightened negative sensitivity or aversion to touch stimuli

Tactile defensiveness refers to a heightened, negative sensitivity to touch where certain textures or types of contact cause discomfort or distress.

Which resident population is considered a primary beneficiary of structured multi-sensory environments?

Answer: Residents with advanced dementia or significant cognitive impairment

Residents with advanced dementia or significant cognitive impairment benefit most from multi-sensory environments because these environments provide engagement that does not require verbal or cognitive ability.

How should an activity professional adapt sensory stimulation activities for a resident with significant visual impairment?

Answer: Emphasize auditory, tactile, olfactory, and gustatory stimulation instead

When a resident has visual impairment, the activity professional should emphasize the remaining senses—auditory, tactile, olfactory, and gustatory—to provide meaningful stimulation.

What type of music is generally most effective for sensory stimulation with older adults who have dementia?

Answer: Personally meaningful music from the resident's young adulthood

Personally meaningful music from the resident's young adulthood is most effective because it connects to long-term procedural and emotional memory pathways that remain intact in dementia.

Which of the following is a contraindication that should be assessed before using intensive olfactory stimulation with a resident?

Answer: Respiratory conditions such as COPD or severe asthma

Respiratory conditions such as COPD or severe asthma may be exacerbated by strong scents, making intensive olfactory stimulation potentially unsafe for these residents.

What does 'sensory overload' refer to in an activity programming context?

Answer: A state in which multiple simultaneous stimuli exceed a resident's processing capacity, causing distress

Sensory overload occurs when multiple simultaneous stimuli exceed a resident's processing capacity, resulting in agitation, withdrawal, or other signs of distress.