When it comes to technology, jokes abound about how seniors interact with it. 

But, all laughs aside, the latest advances in technology can offer huge rewards to older adults who are living in retirement and long-term-care homes or attending day programs. They can be especially beneficial to seniors with special needs, including those with dementia.

When seniors interact with these groundbreaking, innovative and state-of-the-art devices, they can receive a remarkable array of mental, physical, social and emotional benefits.

INTERACTIVE AND IMMERSIVE TECHNOLOGIES 

The technologies include a pioneering, award-winning, interactive motion-activated projection system from a British company called OM Interactive.

It beams sounds, images and music from a wide variety of applications onto different surfaces, including  tables, floors, ceilings, even bedside tray tables or bedsheets.

The device is accompanied by hundreds of applications, including various activities and games, that are projected. When users interact with them, they are transported on a  variety of dynamic, engaging, stimulating and broadening journeys of discovery. 

The other remarkable piece of  equipment is the latest advance in virtual reality technology, called the BroomX MK360. Made in Spain, this  all-in-one VR system beams a video that stretches across three walls and onto a ceiling all at once, creating a captivating, fully immersive audio and visual experience.  

Being surrounded on all sides and wherever your head can turn makes you feel like you are right in the moment, gripping the senses of both seeing and hearing. The BroomX  virtual experience  is not only entertaining but engaging cognitively, emotionally and socially.  

Both of these technologies can help foster great joy among older adults, significantly enhancing their overall health and quality of life. Here are seven ways technologies can nurture happiness in older users, which you can learn about by watching the video below, and/or reading the text below it.

STIMULATING THE SENSES

Both technologies deliver multisensory experiences, and stimulating the senses, especially visual and auditory, can be a powerful conduit to joy.

Imagine, for instance, being at a beach, gazing into deep blue water up to the horizon and listening to the rhythmic lapping of waves.

You could heighten the experience by adding in the use of other senses. For instance, what about having a real seashell beside you to touch, or a cool beverage to sip. Some aromatherapy using a diffuser to the fragrance emanating from a real plant could perk up the sense of smell. 

VIRTUAL TOURISM

The second way this technology can be used to foster joy is through what might be called “virtual tourism.”

For older people unable to really travel, whether because of restricted mobility, limited financial resources or other reasons, creating a simulated trip through these technologies could be the next best thing to being there!

Both the interactive, motion-activated and VR systems can open the world to seniors, taking them to new places for new experiences or returning to destinations they have already been to, reliving memorable past experiences that made them smile and will do so again.

In fact, a feasibility study from Ryerson University has shown that virtual tourism provides many of the same positive outcomes as real travel.

The study found participants had a decrease in anxiety and an increase in happiness and excitement. 

As an added benefit, caregivers can also take a much-needed virtual holiday, and enjoy the rewards of relaxation away from their daily workload.

BRINGING NATURE INDOORS

A third way this technology can promote joy is by bringing nature indoors.

We all know the exhilaration created by being in the great outdoors. For people whose access to nature is restricted by their health or mobility limitations, these technologies can bring the outdoors in.

Participants can experience simulated experiences in nature, standing in a forest, watching trees sway, light dapple among the treetops and birds fly, and listening to the chirping of those birds or whistling winds.

  From these sensory experiences created indoors, participants can derive the same benefits as if they were really outdoors.  

SOCIAL CONNECTIONS

These technologies can also promote social connections, both among fellow home residents and with staff.

It’s often much more fun to have joint experiences than solitary ones:  the confidence built by the encouragement of others, the memories made with other people, the giggles induced by shared laughs.

 These technologies offer a range of games and other activities that bring participants together. 

Whether a virtual air hockey game stirs good, old-fashioned competition, or a simulated roller-coaster ride has everyone screaming and tossing their hands in the air with delight, connections are made and happiness is increased. 

 INTERGENERATIONAL INTERACTIONS

Lots of research has demonstrated how enriching interactions among different generations can be for both old and young. These technologies offer activities that they can easily — and happily — participate in together.

Playing the games and activities together can really  reduce the generation gap, offering a variety of shared special experiences for seniors with children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren. 

Such experiences can not only boost everyone’s moods, but make return visits from the younger generations to the older feel much more enticing and give seniors things to really look forward to.

CONTROL OVER THEIR ENVIRONMENTS

Both immersive and interactive technologies can give users a real sense of control over their environments  — a feeling they don’t often get living in a retirement or long-term-care home.

Many of the applications beamed by the technologies  are all about cause and effect by the user. 

For instance, with one video, they swipe their hands over floating eggs, causing them to break.   In another, they can step on a coloured ball and watch it splat. Having control over these effects can be very empowering.

NOSTALGIA AND REMINISCENCE

Finally,  strolls down memory lane can do wonders for picking up a mood. Feelings of nostalgia and reminiscences can trigger all sorts of positive memories, bringing memorable moments back to life.

 Motion-activated and immersive technologies can take users back in time, whether to their own actual pasts or to more general times and places that might stir happy memories.

These memories can be triggered by still images, moving videos, familiar sounds or even a virtual visit through Google Street View.

It’s tough getting older, no doubt, but the journey can be made much sweeter with these marvellous technologies. There’s nothing better than seeing joy on the face of an older person, thanks to these systems.

Sensory rooms are becoming much more commonplace in schools and homes. However, sensory spaces are not just for children. In fact, they are equally in demand in adult service settings.

These sensory-focused spaces offer significant benefits to a range of neurologically atypical people. Spaces often include a variety of sensory-stimulating objects such as lights, colorful items, things that make sounds, carefully chosen aromas and other different objects.

Which individuals will benefit from a sensory room?

Although it could be argued that everyone could benefit from a sensory room experience, there are people with a number of different conditions that will find these spaces especially helpful. They include:

• Anyone with a cognitive impairment, such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. The world can be a very intimidating place for someone going through the changes that dementia can bring. A sensory room can help ease those struggles by providing a calm and kind space to relax in.
• In acute or long-term-care homes and units. Sensory rooms in these settings can be helpful during a crisis situation that needs de-escalation or prevention.
• In mental health clinics. Spaces where patients can immerse in a therapeutic and stimulantfree environment can be beneficial to the therapy.
• Those with vision, hearing or other sensory impairments. A dark room can be soothing for someone who struggles with vision loss or impairment while interactive activities can help deaf people hone their other senses.  
• Those with developmental disabilities, A well-designed sensory room will provide many opportunities for those with developmental disabilities.
• People with learning difficulties. Offering adults a space where they can take a break from their required activities and focus on learning in a manner that makes sense to them and doesn’t stress them out can help improve learning in their day-to-day lives

Benefits of a sensory room to adults

There are a number of benefits that adults will find when they get the opportunity to experience a sensory space:

Stimulation of the senses

A sensory room is designed to help users focus on and engage with their senses. Spending time in a quiet space that offers activities that they can engage with and explore can help an individual to better understand and interact with their environment outside of the sensory room.

The world is a very stimulating place and allowing an adult to control how much stimulation they get while in the sensory room can carry over some skills in how to manage those moments in the outside world.

Improve and develop communication skills

Some adults have a difficult time communicating both verbally and non-verbally. This is especially true for those with autism. A sensory room that provides interactive activities can help these individuals learn skills that will help them engage and communicate with their peers.

Reduce stress

The world can be quite overwhelming, stressful and unpredictable for an average person. Add to that a neurodivergent disorder and they could easily end up extremely stressed out and unsure of how to deal with it. The ability to spend time in a sensory room can allow the individual to immerse in a very low-stress, safe and controlled space, making the rest of the world easier to deal with when they rejoin it.

Improve ability to focus

Disorders like ADHD can make it difficult for some people to focus on tasks they are working on during the day. A sensory room that has various activities can help an individual to learn concentration skills that will help them to focus on tasks and improve those skills outside of the sensory room.

 Encourage socialization

While a person might struggle to reach out and find common ground with some of the people around them each day, a sensory room can help encourage them to socialize on their terms. Many activities in sensory rooms can be enjoyed both alone and in groups. Allowing visitors to enjoy activities in a safe and stress-free environment can make it easier for them to interact with their peers.

Provide mental and physical relaxation 

Even for individuals without a diagnosed issue, a sensory room can provide them a needed space in which to relax. Whether they’re in the midst of a hard work day, are dealing with a difficult situation in their personal life or are experiencing some sort of physical ailment, the calming effects of a sensory room can provide a necessary break.

Improve creativity

The opportunity to immerse in a space that has no expectations can encourage an individual’s creativity to flourish. Providing activities that will allow the user to engage, explore and have fun can stimulate areas of the brain that spark its creativity.

Sensory rooms in adult-care settings are vital

Although sensory rooms are often thought to be for children, adults who struggle in any aspect of their lives can experience the benefit of sensory rooms. For adults with diagnosed disorders, a sensory room can provide a therapeutic environment in which to work on some specific goals, while others may simply enjoy the ability to disconnect from the pressures of life in a safe and calm space.

The benefits of engaging with a dedicated sensory space don’t go away as most people age. Quite the opposite, in fact! Many seniors find that as they age, they are more likely to benefit from and enjoy spending time in a sensory room. Whether they are experiencing cognitive shifts or physical ones, there are many benefits to spending time in a sensory room.

Can sensory rooms benefit adults?

While the use of sensory rooms is common for children both at home and in school settings, they are invaluable tools serving disabled adults and seniors groups. Sensory environments are very beneficial for the elderly, particularly those challenged with dementia or other special needs.

The needs of adults will vary from those of children using a sensory room, but the benefits are quite similar. Sensory rooms and sensory stimulation can help adults:

• Feel safe and comfortable in the space they are in
• Have a comfortable space in which to experience therapy, either one on one or with a group
• Participate in social groups and combat isolation
• Engage in activities that improve cognition and functionality
• Facilitate communication both with peers and their support system
• Explore avenues for increased concentration, focus and alertness
• Maintain physical abilities and dexterity
• Learn skills related to problem solving, self-care, and crisis prevention and de-escalation

Sensory environments support neurodegenerative diseases

As people age there is a natural decrease in autonomy that can limit a person’s ability to maintain freedom and mobility. As this is often gradual, a person is usually able to get used to the restrictions as time goes on. However, when a neurodegenerative disease like dementia or Alzheimer’s takes hold deterioration in autonomy can become significant quickly, which leads mental struggle for the sufferer.

Sensory rooms are quite beneficial in these situations. When a person is frustrated with their newfound struggles, the ability to step into a sensory room and leave those frustrations at the door will offer a significant mental health break.

Spending time in a no-pressure zone with the opportunity to immerse in things that make them happy will leave a visitor better equipped to handle their changing lives outside the room. Therapy interventions for these individuals can also be easier to approach in a space where they are calmer and more relaxed.

How does technology improve sensory rooms?

Although a sensory room can be created using non-technological items, there are some extraordinary new tools on the market that can help improve a user’s experience.

Virtual reality is a great way to entertain and engage sensory room users. With the BroomX MK360 offering a completely immersive experience with no headsets, visitors can feel the calming effects of the tool just by stepping into the room. The images can be changed and customized to the user, allowing for a completely unique and targeted therapeutic experience. Virtual reality helps to engage a viewer emotionally, socially and cognitively, resulting in significant benefits especially in those with Dementia, Alzheimer’s, autism spectrum disorder and other special needs.

A projection system is another excellent piece of modern technology that can offer sensory room users a significant benefit. An Omi motion-activated projection system will display chosen images, sounds and music onto any flat surface for the enjoyment of the user. With a customizable display, users can experience cognitive, social, physical and emotional stimulation, resulting in a more calm and positive mood. This is especially helpful for those experiencing dementia, as the system allows the user to experience places and things that invoke happy and calming thoughts and memories.

Elderly people often experience a loss of senses

Often as people age, they start to experience a reduction or loss of some of their senses. A gradual loss of mobility, loss of hearing, loss of sight, and even loss of the sense of touch can all affect the mindset of a person. A sensory room offers a person the ability to retreat into a space where they are able to both focus on the senses they do still have full control over, and spend time gently stimulating the senses that are reducing. This focused and non-pressured attention can help users to feel more confident and comfortable in their everyday lives.

Sensory rooms are helpful for all ages

Although sensory rooms are commonly found in schools, there is significant benefit to exploring the opportunity to create them in long-term care and hospital settings as well. When a senior is offered the opportunity to take a pause from all the stressors in their life for a limited time frame, they are likely to return to the original scenario better equipped to handle it.

Elderly people and those dealing with varied needs and abilities are most likely to benefit from the variety of sensory stimulation found in sensory rooms. Technology like virtual reality and projection systems can help facilitators to provide a customized and focused therapy plan in order to assist the individual in their day to day life.

For many kids, school can be a very overwhelming place. Whether children are dealing with a diagnosed developmental impairment or not, at times, they require a safe place to decompress. Such a space, which shifts their attention and focus while stimulating their senses, can be extremely beneficial.  

Installing a sensory room can be an excellent way of creating such a space in any school or other educational setting.  Such a multisensory environment can help kids — whether they are challenged by ADHD, autism or dyslexia, or exhibit occasional misbehaviour or anxiety — cope with daily situations that can arise in school or elsewhere.

A multisensory space’s benefits extend beyond particular children. School administrators, teachers, educational assistants and classmates will immediately notice those benefits. Schools incorporating sensory spaces often find that they are immediately “in demand” by children, parents and teachers.

What is a multisensory space?

At SensoryOne, we’re sensory space design experts. We’ve worked with schools across the United States and Canada to incorporate multisensory environments that improve student outcomes. Let’s discuss your needs!

A multisensory environment, often a dedicated room, is a specially designed space that features specialized sensory equipment. It is engineered to help engage, stimulate, relax and develop children’s senses. In a classroom, children are expected to sit still and listen, while, in a sensory space, they can explore their environment freely.

Some children will use the space to decompress and relax from lights and noises that overtake most classrooms. Others will find healthy distraction in activities that consume their focus and attention, calming them down. Still others may be more taken with physically stimulating activities, such as touch-activated lit floor and wall panels. 

Multisensory spaces can help children develop their hand-eye coordination, communication skills, fine and gross motor skills. They help meet the unique learning needs of neurodivergent children to meet standard learning outcomes.

Growing support for creating multisensory spaces in schools

While sensory spaces are still not found in most schools, the benefits for both students and staff are finding more support fromemerging science, first-hand accounts and parents’ enthusiasm.   Educators and health experts have come to realize the significant role that sensory environments can play in helping all children access education and reap maximum rewards.

Benefits to children who use them

• Takes the pressure off students who may struggle to keep up in a typical classroom
• Presents a safe and gentle environment for students to learn how to manage their emotions
• Allows students to take a time-out from excess stimulation in the classroom
• Neurotypical students can use the space to relax or develop skills that may get overlooked in typical classrooms
• Helps children who might not otherwise thrive in a typical school environment to have acceptable options to participate when they can, and retreat to a safe space when they need to
• Offers a safe and therapeutic space for students to learn a range of physical and emotional skills
• Promotes a positive response for students who may be acting out or prone to tantrums within the classroom

Benefits to the rest of the student body

• When students experiencing emotional and behavioural difficulties have a difference space to go to, remaining students can better concentrate during their classroom time
• Great setting for in-school educational support, therapy and counselling to take place
• Normalizes the inclusion in a regular classroom setting of students who may otherwise struggle
• Helps avoid crisis situations and create a potentially safer school experience for classmates

Benefits to educators and parents

• Takes pressure off teachers. By being able to remove students who are being disruptive out of their classrooms (and to a space where they can receive specialized support), teachers can better focus on their lesson plans and remaining students
• Parents who do not have the space or funds to create a sensory space at home will appreciate one available at school

Many benefits of sensory play

Regardless of a child’s diagnosis, time spent in a dedicated multi-sensory environment can produce dramatic positive results. A space that can reduce anxiety, increase focus, calm aggressive behaviour and incorporate physical movement is a space that can help children thrive. Adding a sensory room is increasingly a must-have at schools.

Calming – Allowing students the time to immerse in a dimly lit room filled with calming and gentle experiences can help them detach from the classroom setting. A sensory room aiming to lower stimulation can include light and video projectors, tactile wall panels, lit bubble tubes, dim lights and calm music.

Improved focus – For students who struggle with being easily distracted, such as those diagnosed with autism, ADHD or other developmental disorders, a sensory room can be an escape from spaces where their concentration is required, such as a classroom, or provide a place here they can practice being more aware of their surroundings. I

Safe socialization – Many atypical students may feel a social struggle in normal school settings. A multi-sensory room can offer an alternative space to explore their surroundings with fellow classmates, taking the pressure off the idea of socialization.

Gain the immediate benefits of a sensory environment in your school

As an educator or school administrator, you will find it relatively easy to build a sensory room. It involves designating a space (even a small one) and working with a sensory-room-design expert to align objectives with equipment and configurations. Expert sensory room designers will highlight the best and latest equipment mix to provide students all of the benefits of a sensory space that they deserve.

If you have a relationship with a child or children with autism, you may have noticed that they generally struggle to find comfort in the busy world in which we live. Autistic people tend to process sensory information differently than neuro-typical people do, so they likely need more support to thrive in their day-to-day activities.

One great way to support children with autism is to create a sensory room or space for them to spend time in when they feel the need. Such rooms can help kids take a break from the overstimulation they may experience and, instead, be able to decompress in an area that supports their needs.

What is a sensory room?

For children with autism, the world can be an intimidating and anxiety-inducing place. A sensory room is a space that has been designed with this in mind to help calm kids, reducing their anxiety and improving their focus.

A sensory space can be set up as its own room, or occupy just a corner or any part of a bigger room. The important thing is that the area can be separated so that the children using it are able to detach from other things happening in the room.

The benefits of a sensory room

If you have a child with autism in your life, there are many benefits to making space for a specialized sensory room to create a safe and comfortable space for your child. Among the benefits:

At SensoryOne, our strength is more than supplying sensory equipment throughout the United States and Canada. We collaborate and design sensory rooms with clients, ensuring optimal design for environments built with autistic children in mind. Call us with your questions today!

1. Allows therapy to remain consistent

By creating a sensory room at home or at school, you help ensure that your child’s therapy will stay consistent, regardless of where they are. When kids have access to the same soothing methods and occupational therapies in places where they spend most of their time, they will feel the benefits without having to wait for an appointment.

2. Therapy can be personalized

Sensory rooms typically involve a number of different toys, tools and features. This means that one room can be used by several different children, and yet they will all be able to make use of personalized and individualized therapies.

3. Give your child control of their situation

A child with autism may feel powerless in many situations, so having a sensory room to escape to can help to reduce their anxiety and increase their focus.

What to include in your sensory room

Every child is going to have different needs when it comes to finding solace in a sensory room. Some kids will want a quiet and calming space, while others may want a space with things they can touch and feel.

The ideas suggested here are only a starting point. It’s always worthwhile to speak to your child’s therapist to get some ideas as well.

Tactile toys

Tactile items, such as bouncy balls, rubber bands, pop-its and slime toys, encourage kids to touch, play, experiment and learn, making them worthy to include in a sensory room. Some autistic kids love the repetition that these toys offer, as well.

Tools that encourage movement

Rope swings, exercise balls, mini-trampolines, small ball pits, tunnels, ramps and rocking chairs can be great ways for children to get moving. Some autistic children use movement to help work out some of their anxiety.

The right lighting

A sensory space should be relaxing and not overly stimulating. Lighting will play a large role in creating such an environment. Include warm, soft lighting that incorporates fibre optic glow kits, curtains, cascades and light panels, to name a few. Of course, Christmas lights, battery-powered candles, lava lights and bubble tubes can change the atmosphere.

Interactive spaces

To help autistic children immerse themselves in tasks, and leave their anxiety at the door, it’s a good idea to include interactive items, such as puzzles, tactile floors and murals, and advanced technological tools, including motion-activated projection systems and immersive virtual reality systems.

The OMI interactive motion-activated projection system offers its Autism Suite package of more than 200 applications specifically targeted to those with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The BroomX MK360 is the only fully mobile, all-in-one VR unit, offering immersive experiences previously unattainable without headsets.

A comfortable crash space

While some children need activities and toys that gently stimulate them, others may need an area where they can relax and decompress. A corner with pillows, cushions, stuffed animals, and weighted blankets can be just the ticket.

Fresh activities

Rather than filling the room with all of the toys and activities that you can think of, consider putting some items aside and then changing it up every few visits. This may not work for all children, but many will thrive on the ability to try something new on a regular basis, rather than face information overload if they see everything all at once each visit.

Sensory rooms will support autistic children in your setting

Whether in a school or other educational setting, or as part of a health care environment, a multi-sensory space may be a missing element in your institution. The positive effects that sensory rooms can have on children with autism are many, and supported by research and experience. Gaining an understanding of how to create the right environment is readily had by contacting multisensory room environment specialists, as well as referring to other institutions that have implemented such spaces.