Licensed medical social worker, Kunga Nyima Drotos, MSW, leads a sensory stimulation group designed for people suffering from moderate to severe dementia; people who are often mute, unable to walk or feed themselves; or those near the end of life. The goal of this group is to increase participants’ feelings of social support.
The group facilitator provides stimulus to engage participants in seven sensory areas:
- Movement
- Sight
- Smell
- Sound
- Taste
- Thought
- Touch
A variety of activities are used in each group meeting, including looking at pictures, smelling and tasting different foods, receiving massages, holding objects, singing, listening to music, coloring, dancing, playing games, and simply just reminiscing on life.
The volunteers provide pictures, music, and other props to engage the group around a theme selected in collaboration with the facility staff. Group themes are selected to help orient residents to the time of year, season, holiday, and other significant events.
For more information on this group, please call Caring Circle at 269.429.7100.