TY - JOUR
T1 - Sensory Processing Abnormalities in Community-Dwelling Older Adults with Cognitive Impairment
T2 - A Mixed Methods Study
AU - Rhodus, Elizabeth K
AU - Hunter, Elizabeth G
AU - Rowles, Graham D
AU - Bardach, Shoshana H
AU - Parsons, Kelly
AU - Barber, Justin
AU - Thompson, MaryEllen
AU - Jicha, Gregory A
N1 - © The Author(s) 2022.
PY - 2022/1/14
Y1 - 2022/1/14
N2 - Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia often leads to behavioral and psychiatric symptoms of dementia (BPSD). Sensory processing abnormalities may be associated with BPSD. The purpose of this study was to explore relationships among sensory processing, behavior, and environmental features within the homes of people with MCI or dementia. This project used mixed methods to assess participants' sensory processing, care partner perspectives on behaviors, and in situ observations of the home environment. Nine participants with cognitive impairment (MCI n = 8, early dementia = 1) and their care partners were included. Seven participants with cognitive impairment were reported to have abnormal sensory processing. Findings suggest that unique environmental adaptations, tailored to personal and sensory preferences for each participant, were associated with a decreased level of behavioral disruption during the observation periods. Implementing sensory-based approaches to maximize environment adaptation may be beneficial in reducing disruptive behaviors for adults with cognitive impairment.
AB - Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia often leads to behavioral and psychiatric symptoms of dementia (BPSD). Sensory processing abnormalities may be associated with BPSD. The purpose of this study was to explore relationships among sensory processing, behavior, and environmental features within the homes of people with MCI or dementia. This project used mixed methods to assess participants' sensory processing, care partner perspectives on behaviors, and in situ observations of the home environment. Nine participants with cognitive impairment (MCI n = 8, early dementia = 1) and their care partners were included. Seven participants with cognitive impairment were reported to have abnormal sensory processing. Findings suggest that unique environmental adaptations, tailored to personal and sensory preferences for each participant, were associated with a decreased level of behavioral disruption during the observation periods. Implementing sensory-based approaches to maximize environment adaptation may be beneficial in reducing disruptive behaviors for adults with cognitive impairment.
U2 - 10.1177/23337214211068290
DO - 10.1177/23337214211068290
M3 - Article
C2 - 35024382
SN - 2333-7214
VL - 8
SP - 23337214211068290
JO - Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine
JF - Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine
ER -