36 THE QUEENS COURIER • HEALTH • FEBRUARY 17, 2022 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM
health
Sensory deprivation and aging
BY DR. SHELDON ORNSTEIN
Ed.D, RN, LNHA
According to the research, “It is more
or less assumed that the aged person who
is isolated from adequate stimuli, failing
sensory organs or a reduced environmental
variation, reacts with the same symptoms
Dr. Sheldon Ornstein is a
registered professional
nurse with a doctoral
degree in nursing organization.
He has specialized in
the care of older adults and
has published many articles
on the subject. He has done
post-graduate work in gerontology
and has taught
at several universities. In
2013, he was inducted into
the Nursing Hall of Fame at
Teachers College, Columbia
University.
as younger adults.” Th e literature
deals with several types of sensory deprivation.
Th e following is used for this article,
“Restriction of the environment to a
dull monotony which when intensifi ed,
can reduce sensory input.”
We’ve witnessed this phenomenon with
prisoners of war and astronauts who have
made the public aware of the eff ects of isolation
from ordinary environmental stimulation.
Th e psychologic and physiologic eff ects
from sensory deprivation can be found in
numerous studies which express a need
for professionals, as well as family caregivers
who care for the aged, to understand
how the eff ects of sensory deprivation can
cause unrelieved mental disruption in the
life of the elderly person.
Certain eff ects, thought to contribute
to “confusion” or “senility” may arise
from sensory deprivation. For instance, an
elderly individual who is isolated and shut
in, living a somewhat barren existence,
will in time begin to sense muted and confusing
signals.
Th e common contributors to this
problem are enumerated as poor vision,
decreased energy, poor hearing, extended
periods in bed, a debilitating illness,
chronic disorders, loss of pleasant sounds,
and absence of meaningful contact with
others.
Late aft ernoons may also aggravate the
confused elderly, as daylight is vanishing
and indoor lighting is inadequate,
causing sensory deprivation to intensify.
(Google “sundowning” for further reference
regarding this phenomenon.) Th e
following are several practices that can
either alleviate and/or reduce sensory loss
to a minimum:
open windows a crack that can allow for
the sights and sounds of the outdoors, and
that brings an enjoyable breath of air;
bring fl owers, plants and comment on
their colors and variation;
be seated when visiting, listen to the feelings
that are being expressed, observe the
elderly’s perception of their surroundings
and of your presence;
fi nd out what the individual’s interests
are such as favorite puzzles, frequently
watched TV programs, current handicraft
s, etc. Above all, it is important to plan
with them, not for them!
Case Study – I recall caring for a nursing
home resident who became distraught
and angry when staff posted a large sign
above her bed without her permission,
that detailed the special clinical needs
ordered by the doctor with directions for
the aide who was assigned to assist with
the activities of daily living. Th oroughly
agitated, she refused to return to her room
until the sign was removed and replaced
with a more appropriate sign that contributed
to her emotional support needed for
modesty and privacy.
People are oft en sensitive to unwanted
changes and when they no longer have
unimpeded opportunities to exert control
of their lives, they may turn away from
the day to day realities. Th is may very well
begin that slow but progressive decline
known as sensory deprivation.
Incidentally, the nursing home resident
with the bed sign issue also began showing
signs of self-isolation until she no longer
cared or was unable to respond to the
verbal cues being given to her by staff .
Researchers have commented that following
a bout of sensory loss, there still can be
a good response with what is called “gradual
environmental enrichment,” a technique
geared to the individual’s personality and
interests. However, it still remains essential
to continue practicing basic human contact
as a critical element for success.
Following are several held beliefs attributed
to the study of sensory deprivation
and the negativity it can cause to an elderly
individual’s psyche.
Illness that increases perpetual confusion
particularly in the aged. Oft en, confusion
can be frightening and dangerous
to the person who is attempting to negotiate
their physical whereabouts and the
“unfamiliar faces” that visit but turn out to
be close relatives and friends.
Monotony of the unrelieved kind that
can produce a disruption to the individual’s
capacity to learn new things or even
think clearly. Monotony also may cause
the elderly individual to engage in embarrassing
activities that inevitably will result
in an unwanted repercussion.
Sensory Deprivation alters the mechanisms
related to an elderly person’s mental
clarity and their attention to deal with
the daily details.
Reliable Testing as a result of sensory
overload, the individual may become
unable to participate in various reliable
testing devices. Th ese tests help in determining
whether there is a decline in the
level of acuity and an inability to correctly
sense their surroundings.
According to the researcher Huxley,
“Th e sensory organs are our window on
the world. Our senses protect us from the
overwhelming bombardment of environmental
messages that are not necessary
for human function. Th ey seem to put
boundaries and order into our lives and
when they are overloaded, the structure
weakens and unconscious processes break
through.” It then becomes the caregiver’s
challenge to “awaken” the declining sensory
practices that the individual exhibits.
Here are some suggestions for meeting
that challenge. Focus on ways of lowering
the observed sensory loss being
experienced by using a simple give and
take response, ie: try uncomplicated jokes
even if there is no emotional response,
make available specially enjoyed desserts,
encourage singing generational songs,
make birthdays a warm and inviting event
with family and friends invited. Use “therapeutic
touch techniques.” One that comes
to mind is clasping each others hands as
a gesture of friendliness and camaraderie.
Here is a fi nal thought. Th e sensory
environment serves the young as well as
the old and should be revered and cultivated
for achieving a happy and healthy
experience. However, to accomplish this
may not be so easy but when you strongly
believe, it will come to pass! Th erefore
make every day a special event!
Quotable quote: “If you see a man without
a smile, give him yours.” Anon.
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