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Sensory Processing Abnormalities in Community-Dwelling Older Adults with Cognitive Impairment: A Mixed Methods Study
Elizabeth K Rhodus1,2,3, Elizabeth G Hunter4, Graham D Rowles4
1Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA.
Gerontology & Geriatric Medicine
|January 13, 2022
Summary
This study found that tailoring home environments to individual sensory needs can reduce behavioral disruptions in people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia. Sensory-based adaptations may help manage behavioral symptoms of dementia.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Neuroscience
- Occupational Therapy
Background:
- Behavioral and psychiatric symptoms of dementia (BPSD) are common in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia.
- Sensory processing abnormalities are increasingly recognized as potential contributors to BPSD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the links between sensory processing, observed behaviors, and home environmental characteristics in individuals with MCI or dementia.
- To explore how environmental adaptations influence behavioral symptoms in this population.
Main Methods:
- A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining sensory processing assessments, care partner interviews regarding behaviors, and direct observations of the home environment.
- The study included nine participants with cognitive impairment (8 MCI, 1 early dementia) and their care partners.
Main Results:
- Seven out of nine participants exhibited abnormal sensory processing.
- Personalized environmental adaptations, aligned with individual sensory preferences, were associated with reduced behavioral disruption during observations.
Conclusions:
- Sensory processing differences are prevalent in individuals with MCI or dementia and may be linked to BPSD.
- Implementing sensory-based environmental modifications can be a promising strategy for mitigating disruptive behaviors in adults with cognitive impairment.
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