How Dementia Affects the Senses and What You Can Do About It

Find out how dementia affects the senses, how it impacts quality of life, and how you can help someone you love.

When dementia is part of your family’s life, there’s a good chance that memory loss is top of mind. But there’s another reality that often goes unrecognized: how dementia affects the senses. These unexpected changes can have a huge impact on daily safety, independence, and comfort. If you’re helping care for someone with dementia, understanding how sensory changes show up, and how to respond, is vitally important.

How Dementia Affects the Senses

From the scent of morning coffee to the feel of warm sunlight, our senses are what help us connect with the world. But dementia disrupts how the brain processes this input. Here’s how that can look in day-to-day life:

1. Smell and Taste
   These two senses are often the first to change. A person with dementia might no longer be able to smell smoke or spoiled food. They may unknowingly eat something unsafe or miss signs of danger, like a gas leak.
   What to do: Keep food items labeled and dated, regularly check the refrigerator and pantry for freshness, and lock up cleaning products and chemicals.
2. Hearing
   While hearing loss itself is common in older adults, dementia complicates it further. A person may hear you, but not fully process or understand what you’re saying. Background noise may feel overwhelming, and this can lead to frustration or anxiety.
   What to do: Minimize distractions, speak slowly using one idea at a time, and reinforce spoken instructions with pictures or gestures when possible.
3. Vision
   Dementia doesn’t always cause direct vision problems, but it does affect how the brain interprets what’s seen. A patterned rug might appear like a hole in the floor. Shadows might be mistaken for threatening figures. These misinterpretations increase the risk of falls and fear.
   What to do: Simplify home décor, ensure good lighting, and avoid visual clutter. Use contrasting colors to help define objects, furniture, and doorways.
4. Touch
   The sense of touch may become dulled or distorted. A person might not feel pain, heat, or cold as clearly, putting them at risk of injury. They might also be startled by unexpected physical contact.
   What to do: Set water heaters to a safe temperature, monitor weather-appropriate clothing, and offer gentle touch only when the person seems comfortable with it.
5. The Sixth Sense: Emotional Perception
   Though not one of the traditional five, emotional perception is deeply tied to the senses. Someone with dementia may pick up on emotional cues, like tone of voice or facial expression, more than the words themselves.
   What to do: Approach with calm, reassurance, and kindness. Your mood can influence theirs, even when they can’t express it in words.

   How Home Care Helps When Dementia Affects the Senses

Navigating sensory changes in dementia isn’t easy. Our in-home caregivers are specially trained in dementia care and can provide the support needed to maintain safety and comfort at home. We can:

• Monitor for environmental risks
• Prepare meals and ensure safe eating
• Communicate in ways that reduce confusion
• Help with dressing, bathing, and other personal care tasks
• Provide companionship and meaningful engagement
• Handle behavioral challenges like wandering, sundowning, and anxiety

When dementia affects the senses, it reshapes how a person experiences the world. With our customized support and expert care, you can help maintain a sense of security and connection.

Want to learn how we can support someone you care about with dementia? Call us at (866) 940-4343 to schedule a free in-home consultation. We provide specialized dementia care in Novato, Santa Rosa, Napa, and throughout the Bay Area to help our neighbors feel safe and supported at home.