A familiar smell gave her the boost she needed: How engaging the senses brings back memories
One of our clients recently shared a touching experience with her mother, who has late-stage dementia. Her mother had her eyes nearly closed for days, unresponsive to conversation or touch. During a visit, we mentioned how certain scents can awaken the senses and stir emotional memory, particularly familiar smells from one’s past.
We suggested she try the smell of freshly brewed coffee, as it was something her mother used to love. She placed the cup in front of her mother and waited quietly. Within moments, her mother’s eyes slowly opened. For the first time in days, there was a flicker of recognition, a spark of connection that reminded everyone in the room of who she was beneath the dementia.
Why Sensory Engagement Matters
This moment beautifully illustrates how sensory stimulation, the use of touch, smell, sound, and sight can help people with dementia feel more connected and alert. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, engaging the senses can trigger memories, improve mood, and encourage communication, even in individuals who are otherwise unresponsive.
Scents, in particular, have a unique power over memory and emotion because of how the brain is wired. The National Institute on Aging (NIA) notes that the olfactory system, responsible for smell, connects directly to parts of the brain involved in emotion and memory, such as the amygdala and hippocampus. This means that something as simple as the aroma of coffee, lavender, or baked bread can evoke comforting feelings and spark moments of clarity.
The Power of Gentle Creativity
At Recare Home Services, we believe these small, sensory experiences can make a big difference. Whether it’s playing a favorite song, offering a soft texture to touch, or inviting someone to smell something familiar, sensory-based recreation supports emotional well-being and helps maintain a sense of identity.
These interactions don’t have to be complicated, they just need to be genuine. The smell of coffee may not be magic, but in that moment, it created something truly meaningful: presence, connection, and recognition.
