Reducing sensory overload

dancsfo · October 7

I've read about reducing sensory overload for PWD, such as turning off TV when eating, talking or answering slowly, and even using earplugs (if they still have good hearing).

My experience is mostly with problems with visual or sounds. Did anyone experience problems with other things like rough fabrics (clothes, seat cushions), uneven breeze from windows or things that are difficult to eat or drinks that may be too hot? I think those are harder to figure out.

I often have to watch what is on TV, so that if there are too many activities on a screen for PWD (let's say there is some text scrolling at the bottom), or too many fast cuts/scene changes, then I need to change the show or channel. TV shows for children tend to be "flashy" and I think seems to cause some strain. Same goes for many dancers in a show. So slow animal shows seem to work better. These problems seem more obvious to me.

I'm discovering that this issue causes anxiety or confusion due to lack of processing ability, and isn't really related to lack of memory. It's hard to detect this form of anxiety, compared to lack of memory, which a caregiver can detect relatively easily if a PWD is confused. I suspect that sensory overload just causes quiet discomfort. But if it gets too uncomfortable, you can tell. What I want to try to do is detect it before it even gets to that level.

Being aware of this issue is also quite difficult for the caregiver. You have to evaluate every stimuli, constantly. But the reaction is unpredictable. Some busy TV shows are just fine. But some cause distress.

Damiross · October 7

It's different with each person with dementia*.

The only noises that bother my wife are the same ones that bothered her in the past. Example include scrapping a chair on the floor and throwing dice on a hard surface.

The center has "<country name> got talent" showing often on the television. . The varied, often fast action, activities on the show don't bother her.

*I'm more than likely in the minority here. I do not care for the term "PWD". To me, it reduces a person with dementia to just an object. I'm not offended if others use the term but I will not use it.

harshedbuzz · October 7

@dancsfo

I am one who completely believes that sensory processing issues are often seen in dementia. In that context, I often thought much of dad's dementia progression akin to an acquired autism. Sensory issues, lack of empathy, and poor executive function are common to both conditions.

As a parent of an adult son on spectrum, I came to dementia prewired to detect sensory differences. My dad had a fair amount of sensory defensiveness around noise (despite his hearing issues), bright lighting and textures of clothing (soft, unconstructed preferred) and food (strong preference for creamy and soft with a sauce of some kind). His tolerance for sensory challenges was mitigated by him having control of it (remote for fan/light, TV) and seemed to be best earlier in the day.

In addition to sensory defensiveness, I did note some sensory seeking in the form of stroking soft blankets or his cashmere sweaters. In later stages, he had some issues with proprioception (knowing where his body was in space— cue the diagonal bed-hogging) and also interpreting sensory signals from his own body (hunger, thirst, full bladder, etc)

HB

I don't mind acronyms. I not only use them here, I use them in speech, too, in certain places. My time is the most valuable thing to me.

H1235 · October 7

When mom was first diagnosed we moved her in with my brother who lived just a few blocks from her house. She insisted on going to her house as often as possible (my brother agreed, I did not). While she was there she was completely overwhelmed. She saw the garden and wanted to pull weeds, wanted to paint the swing, sort through some material, wash the curtains, deep clean the carpets, reupholster a couch….. At my brothers house it was similar. She saw the oven and wanted to make banana bread, she hated seeing weeds in the garden, insisted she could wash her own laundry…. She was overwhelmed wanting to do everyday tasks that were beyond her abilities. This might be a bit different than the sensory overload you are experiencing, but still related to dementia. During this time I noticed a lot of confusion and confabulation. When I moved her to al these symptoms went away. When I see how well she is doing, I need to remind myself that it’s because she is in a safe controlled environment and I did not move her too soon.

dancsfo · October 7

Thank you for the insights. While I do not have experience caring for those on the spectrum, from what I do read, I see many similarities.

The issue of trying to do everyday tasks does ring true. I have read that if you get sensory overload, one can try to seek refuge in performing something familiar. But that in turn can fail and overwhelm. An example I saw recently was the desire to scrub pots and pans before finishing (or even starting) a meal. Maybe it was soothing. But it was overwhelming since it was too frustrating to perform well. I tried to distract and say "We can do that later".

youngersis · October 16

I found my sister with dementia likes the quieter active tv programs, be they murder mysteries or hallmark movies. I even found Zinniatv a good alternative so her mood doesn't get jarred from the abrupt noise from commercials She is rather antsy with normal daily tv shows. She no longer is able to explain her feelings so I have to guess, but this is working now

tigersmom · October 20

My DH, gone two years now, had mixed dementia — Alzheimer’s and vascular. He was sensitive to everything. Noise, flashing lights, fabrics, the water in the shower, the way things felt in his mouth. I learned to adapt to each new thing as it occurred. The TV was a big problem. In hindsight, i should have noticed something was wrong when he started warching it with the sound muted pre-diagnosis. And without closed captions. Fast-paced action on the screen bothered him visually. And early on, anything crispy or crunchy to eat began to be refused. Crispy was a dirty word at our house.

As his disease progressed, he became increasingly sensitive to clothing textures. He wore soft long-sleeved shirts with the tags removed, and soft fleece jackets. If those jackets had pockets that zipped, they were rejected. He said the water in the shower hurt his skin, and refused anything but the softest, flat-weave towels. The flocked ones i used were pronounced “like rocks.” So yes, this is a thing.

What always worked on TV were the shows on PBS’ “Nature.” He loved nature, and the visuals and sounds (not to mention the lack of commercials) were invariably calming. The other thing that worked almost until the end was the music he had personally selected for his phone when he was still well. He loved the Bee Gees. He enjoyed slow dancing to music well into his disease.

You will learn by watching your PWD closely which things bother him. If he is anything like my husband, it may be a lot.

dancsfo · October 21

Thanks for the comment. I think society emphasizes memory failures in AD, but neglects to consider that decline of executive function and problems in sensitivity can harm failure living just as much.

I've noticed an increase sensitivity alongside a decrease. For example, I noticed that slippers were strewn across the floor, since when they slip off, it wasn't noticed that they fell off. I don't know whether that's lack of feeling in the feet, or just a brain processing failure. Same goes for other things like improperly holding some object that requires some proper balance, like a cup of tea.

Reducing sensory overload

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