When Words Fade, the Senses Remain

In the late stages of dementia, verbal communication, memory, and recognition often decline significantly. But the senses — touch, sound, smell, sight, and taste — can still provide comfort, connection, and dignity. Sensory stimulation is not a luxury; it’s a fundamental part of quality care.

Creating a sensory care plan helps families and carers respond to the emotional and physical needs of a person with advanced dementia, even when words are no longer available. These plans enhance wellbeing, reduce distress, and honour the individual’s unique life story.

With the help of digital tools like Evaheld, sensory care preferences and legacy materials can be stored securely and shared across carers, power of attorneys, and loved ones — ensuring continuity and compassion at every stage.

Why Sensory Care Is Essential

Even when verbal understanding is lost, the senses can still trigger powerful emotional responses. Familiar music may bring peace. The smell of a favourite dish can spark recognition. A soft blanket or scented lotion can calm anxiety.

According to Dementia Australia, sensory interventions can reduce agitation, improve sleep, support emotional expression, and foster connection between the individual and those around them.

Sensory care is especially important in environments where people may feel confused, vulnerable, or isolated — such as residential aged care, hospital settings, or during palliative care.

When to Introduce a Sensory Care Plan

Sensory planning is most effective when introduced in the mid to late stages of dementia, as communication and mobility begin to decline. However, it’s beneficial to start planning early, while the individual can still share their preferences.

Ideally, your sensory care plan should evolve alongside your advance care planning, and reflect not just physical needs, but emotional and spiritual identity.

Documenting sensory preferences in a secure platform like the Evaheld Legacy Vault ensures carers can provide person-centred support — even when family members aren’t present.

Components of a Sensory Care Plan

A well-rounded sensory care plan addresses all five senses and integrates personal preferences from earlier in life. Consider including:

1. Touch

• Favourite fabrics (e.g., flannel pyjamas, knitted blankets)
• Hand massages with scented lotion
• Pet therapy or stuffed animals for tactile reassurance

2. Sight

• Soft lighting and calming colours
• Photobooks of family, pets, and places
• Videos of nature or family gatherings

3. Sound

• Personalised playlists with familiar music
• Recordings of family voices or lullabies
• White noise or nature sounds for sleep

4. Smell

• Favourite scents (lavender, vanilla, fresh bread)
• Scented oils diffused safely
• Familiar smells linked to childhood, holidays, or faith

5. Taste

• Favourite soft foods or drinks (when safe to consume)
• Culturally or spiritually meaningful flavours
• Flavoured lip balm for a sensory touchpoint

Families can document each preference using Evaheld, and supplement them with legacy reflections, recipes, or stories via the Family Legacy Series.

Personalising the Experience

The most effective sensory care plans are deeply personal. Think beyond generalised stimulation and instead reflect the individual’s life journey:

• Was there a scent associated with their home growing up?
• What music did they dance to as a young adult?
• Which textures or activities calmed them during stress?
• Are there specific religious or cultural rituals involving senses?

This level of detail transforms care from routine to meaningful — and strengthens bonds, even in silence.

These stories and memories can be recorded and stored as part of your loved one’s advance care directive or legacy documentation.

Involving Carers and Support Teams

Your sensory care plan should be accessible to everyone involved — whether they are family carers, aged care staff, hospice nurses, or temporary relief support.

Using digital tools like Evaheld, you can share updated plans securely and ensure they’re embedded into daily routines.

Include:

• A summary of sensory preferences
• Do’s and don’ts for each sense
• Legacy items or objects to include in care
• Links to advance care documents
• Emergency contacts or key family members

You can also upload voice notes explaining why each item matters — helping support teams understand not just what to do, but why it matters.

Addressing Spiritual and Cultural Values

Sensory care should also incorporate spiritual and cultural identity. This may include:

• Sacred music or chants
• Incense or oils used in prayer
• Faith-based artefacts that provide comfort
• Rituals related to heritage or end-of-life beliefs

Document these clearly and respectfully. Doing so not only supports the individual, but also honours their community, values, and lifelong beliefs.

Resources like Nurse Info can guide culturally appropriate care practices, while Evaheld can be used to store associated reflections or recordings.

The Role of the Sandwich Generation

Many individuals in the sandwich generation are balancing the care of ageing parents while raising children — often while managing careers and homes. Creating and storing a sensory care plan early can provide a clear roadmap for care, especially during transitions or emergencies.

Shared digital access through the Evaheld Legacy Vault ensures siblings, carers, and medical teams can all access the same up-to-date information — minimising stress and misunderstandings.

Benefits of Sensory Care for All

Sensory care is not only beneficial for the person with dementia — it also nurtures the bond between carers and loved ones. Even simple acts, like applying hand lotion with soft music playing, offer opportunities for tenderness and connection.

As Advance Care Planning Australia emphasises, person-centred care includes both clinical needs and emotional wellbeing. Sensory care bridges that gap beautifully.

The Evaheld Blog offers further guidance on implementing sensory plans and integrating them with broader advance care planning strategies.