Dementia and the Senses
By Gail Gregory
Hi, my name is Gail, and I was diagnosed at the age of 54 with early onset Alzheimer’s, over the last 6 years I have noticed how my senses have changed and are still changing.
Dementia doesn’t only affect the memory and cognition, but it also affects the senses.
The senses being sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch
For many people living with dementia, changes in vision are very common, my experience of change is within depth and perception. Colour can change too, but that is something that hasn’t affected me. I suppose it also depends on which type of dementia you have been diagnosed with. Then again, we are all different, we are all unique with or without dementia.
When it comes to hearing, my hearing has become quite sensitive, I don’t like lots of noise, I prefer a quiet space now. I have just endured a couple of days of our neighbours having a new bathroom fitted, the noise to me has been unbearable! My ability to cope with excessive noise has diminished. I dare say I have been a nightmare to live with that 48-hour period.
Then there is the other side of the spectrum, hearing loss, which can impact on people’s ability to communicate and engage with others.
Another sense is smell and taste, changes in the smell and taste perception can affect many individuals with dementia. There are definitely foods that I can’t eat now, or should I say won’t eat. My sense of taste and smell of foods has changed, at the moment sugary foods are top of my list! Not the healthiest of choices, but if I don’t like it, I won’t eat it!
I finish with touch, one of the first senses that we develop, from the moment we are born.
Touch plays a crucial role in our development and our wellbeing; touch is a language without words.
The sense of touch plays a significant and important role in communication especially with people with dementia, it can connect us with each other. A gentle massage or just holding hands, can provide much comfort, it can reassure us that everything is ok.
Touch is a form of communication, a handshake or a hug welcomes a person, and we don’t even need words.
Touch can have positive physical benefits too, it can help reduce stress and releases good hormones, it can even relieve pain in holistic healing, I have experienced reiki, reflexology and massage, which always brings benefits of relieving stress and anxiety, while bringing a wave of calm and total relaxation.
Touch can be a way of expressing our emotions showing empathy and reassurance, it can physically strengthen bonds…we feel connected, it can bring security and a feeling of trust.
While touch has many positive benefits, it is important to respect, be mindful and to have obtained consent before touching. With different cultural backgrounds, and personal experiences. We wouldn’t want to evoke any unpleasant memories that touch might bring.
So, while touch can carry a wide range of emotions and messages without the need for words.
Touch can enhance a person’s quality of life and overall well-being.
We all deserve to have the best quality of life, importantly we also need to offer and enrich the daily experiences of people living with dementia.
About Gail
I was 54 years young when I was diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer’s. Valentines Day 2019, don’t think I will ever forget that day. Well I might do, seen as I have Alzheimer’s and my memory will deteriorate.
The diagnosis it me hard, and after feeling sorry for myself for a week or so, I came to the conclusion, I was still me and I haven’t just suddenly changed, I have two choices,
1. Sit back and let Alzheimer’s take over and deteriorate quicker
Or
2. Live my life the best I can and enjoy every minute
I chose the second one.
So I hope you will join me, as I tell my honest, down-to-earth story, just what it’s like for me to live with this disease, my sidekick Alzheimer’s:
Too Young for Dementia? – Page 2 – Journey with Diagnosis of Early Onset Alzheimer’s