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Overstimulation
When is there is too much stimulation?
Celebrations and parties planning for the upcoming Holidays and festivities may indeed manifest trigger points that your resident will find overwhelming and challenging.

Simply put, the key to overstimulation prevention is to know your resident.

Sensory overload happens when you’re getting more input from your five senses than your brain can sort through and process. Multiple conversations going on in one room, flashing overhead lights, or a loud party can all produce the symptoms of sensory overload.

Bear in mind that what triggers sensory overload may vary from one individual to another. For example, some individuals are more sensitive to sound while still others may be more greatly affected when it comes to other environmental input.

Though overstimulation can affect anyone, diagnoses that commonly present sensitivity to sensory overload:
  • Autism
  • general anxiety disorder
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
  • sensory processing disorder *
  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • fibromyalgia and many more
Note: Sensory processing disorder (SPD)* is a neurological disorder that occurs when a person finds it difficult to respond to sensory input. Generally, there are two different types of the conditions but some individual can have a mix of both types.
Hypersensitivity is when a person is overly sensitive to things like smells, sounds, tastes, or textures. A person may try to avoid these sensory experiences because they are too overwhelming.
Hyposensitivity, which is also known as sensory seeking, is when a person looks for more sensory stimulation, especially physical touch or pressure.
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/sensory-overload#linked-conditions

Regardless of specific diagnoses; overload is not prejudice to age. Children, adults and our elderly population alike have been known to suffer a multitude of physical and emotional consequences from sensory overload.

Some strategies and techniques to consider:
1) Maintain a “Behavior Log” and track signs, symptoms, and triggers of sensory overload.
2) Avoiding the triggers of sensory overloads, such as loud music or events with flashing lights, where possible.
3) Turning down bright lights, reduce strong scents or smells.
4) Identifying “safe spaces” to escape to when that sensory overload is eminent.
5) Allow the resident to stay near the exit so that he/she may quietly and easily leave if necessary.
Overload Prevention
Identify your resident’s tolerance levels to stimulation during the initial interview process then proactively care plan coping mechanisms/interventions that will create positive transitions and prevent overstimulation in the new living environment.

Take note if see the following potential signs:
1. Aversion to bright, harsh, or flashing lights or strong or bothersome scents or odors
2. Confusion related to loud sounds or exposure to multiple conversations
3. Extreme irritability
4. Restlessness and discomfort
5. Covering ears or shield your eyes from sensory input
6. Overly excited or “wound up”
7. Sensitivity to textures, fabrics, clothing tags, or other things that may rub against skin

Sensory overload prevention begins with anticipating potential triggers, but even the most observant health care professional may miss those triggers or new previously un-presented triggers develop. In such instance the best practice once you notice a new trigger is to redirect your residents away from unsettling situations and offer an alternative location that helps restore his/her calm inner balance.
Positive Transitions
Transition in this context bears the meaning: alignment with our highest potential for inner balance. Transition is at the heart of every major aspect of our lives. It not only affects how we see and relate to each other and the world and how we understand our place in it. The basis of ensuring positive transitions underlines everything we do as professionals in this industry. Making way for our residents to easily acclimate and essentially “transition” effortlessly to his/her new living environment within the senior care facility is top of that list to a great success story.

https://www.understood.org/en/articles/what-is-sensory-overload
Have a topic request or question for Celeste? Send them over to celestechase@activitydirector.org
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