Smelling Jars

Creating smelling jars with scents like mint, cinnamon, and garlic can be a highly beneficial and engaging activity for individuals with dementia. This activity stimulates cognitive functions, enhances sensory engagement, and can evoke memories.

Materials: Collect small jars or containers with lids, cotton balls or pads, and essential oils or whole spices (mint, cinnamon, garlic, etc.). Place a cotton ball or pad in each jar. Add a few drops of essential oil or place a small amount of the spice directly into the jar. Optionally, you can label each jar with the name of the scent to facilitate discussion and identification. Explain to the participant how to open the jars and smell the different scents.

• Cognitive Stimulation: Identifying and discussing different scents helps stimulate memory, attention, and sensory processing skills.
• Sensory Engagement: The olfactory experience of smelling different scents can be soothing and engaging.
• Memory Evocation: Familiar smells can evoke memories and emotions, potentially sparking conversations and reminiscence.