“It seems to soothe him, like he’s taken a deep breath and relaxed,” says Deborah Greeley, life enrichment co-ordinator for the Creemore long-term care home.

Walter is one of seven residents at the home with sensory and cognitive impairments who are participating in a new program called Senses Alive. Sessions take place once a week.

To start off with, the home uses a special lounge room with black lights, fibre optics, a bubble tower, water fountain and gentle music. Then, each resident’s senses are stimulated through pictures and videos, aromatherapy, food and drinks and various textures.

“It’s not a fully developed program yet – we’re still trying to find out what works best, what pushes their buttons. It’s an interesting process because the same (sensory tools) don't work for everyone. Every person is different.”

For example, the fish video works for Walter, while another woman responds to coffee-themed sensory stimuli.

“She looks at a grouping of pictures of coffee and a coffee plantation, she holds some coffee beans, has a cup of coffee and coffee cake, and we have a conversation,” explains Deborah. “It helps to get her to look at me and talk to me, which is great, because she’s pretty much non-verbal.”

Another sensory stimuli set that has worked well is oranges – pictures of oranges, orange segments and orange juice, adds Deborah.

“And, one lady only responds to music. We tried all kinds of different music, but she only really responded to war-time tunes. She starts moving her feet to the music.”

So far, none of the participants have responded to fabrics, says Deborah. “We’re not getting anywhere with that. We’ve tried sheepskin, velvet and corduroy,” but, she adds, trial and error is part of the process.

Each participant has different goals, depending on their level of cognitive ability. “Even if I just get a smile, it’s progress. Some people we haven’t seen smile in six months.”

There is no hard data about what stimuli are most effective, or exactly how they work to calm and relax a person, notes Deborah.

“I wish I knew how it worked. Who knows what each person’s buttons are – and these people can’t tell us. That’s why it often takes so long” to find effective stimuli.

Leisureworld Caregiving Centre – Creedan Valley is home to 95 residents. More information about the home is available through the Leisureworld website, www.leisureworld.ca

* not his real name