Certain **scents and sounds** can make a space feel more like home for people with dementia by triggering comforting memories and creating a calming atmosphere. Scents such as **lavender, cinnamon, peppermint, chamomile, lemon balm**, and the smell of **freshly baked cookies or barbecue** often evoke positive emotions because the sense of smell is closely linked to memory and emotion in the brain. These familiar aromas can bring back vivid memories from childhood or earlier life stages, helping reduce anxiety and improve mood.
Using essential oils through diffusers, scented lotions, or candles is a gentle way to introduce these smells into living spaces. Foods with strong nostalgic scents like cinnamon rolls or fresh bread also provide comfort through smell.
On the sound side, soft background noises that resemble everyday home life—such as gentle music from their youth, nature sounds like birdsong or flowing water, or even familiar household sounds—can help create a soothing environment. Avoiding loud or sudden noises is important since many people with dementia become sensitive to noise and may feel distressed by it.
Together, these sensory cues work by connecting to deep emotional centers in the brain that remain active even when other cognitive functions decline. This connection helps make an unfamiliar place feel warmer and more welcoming for someone living with dementia.
