Document Type

Presentation

Publication Date

4-10-2026

Faculty Mentor

Joy Crawford

Abstract

Dementia is a growing global health concern, with prevalence expected to double every 20 years as the population ages, and approximately 6.7 million individuals in the United States currently living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (Cheng, 2017; Akincigil, 2024). Individuals with dementia commonly experience behavioral and psychological symptoms such as agitation, anxiety, pacing, withdrawal, and decreased engagement in meaningful activities, creating challenges for care staff and caregivers.

The purpose of this capstone project was to design and implement a multi-sensory stimulation room (MSSR) within a day program serving community-dwelling adults with dementia. The project aimed to provide a client-centered, evidence-based environment to support participants’ emotional regulation, engagement, and meaningful participation through purposefully tailored sensory experiences.

The sensory room was designed to address common dementia-related behaviors by providing individualized, multisensory experiences (e.g., touch, sound, smell, movement, and taste). The project focused on creating a sensory-rich environment aligned with participants’ abilities using the Just Right Challenge to promote engagement while minimizing overstimulation.

Effectiveness was evaluated through structured observations and staff feedback, examining changes in behavior, engagement, and overall well-being. Findings indicated that participants experienced a reduction in dementia-related negative behaviors, increased engagement, and enhanced relaxation through individualized sensory experiences in the MSSR. Staff reported that the room provided an effective, sensory-rich approach for managing challenging behaviors and supporting daily programming. The MSSR was also recognized as a program highlight, showcasing its value for both members and the overall program.

This project demonstrates the potential of occupational therapy to create evidence-based, client- centered interventions that enhance both functional and emotional outcomes for adults with dementia. Findings further support the effectiveness of multi-sensory stimulation in reducing negative dementia-related behaviors while promoting improved engagement, emotional regulation, and overall well-being.

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