Everyone deserves the right to experience outdoor spaces. For many people living with dementia visits outside present challenges due to the decline of physical and cognitive abilities. A well-maintained level of outdoor activity is linked to improved physical and mental health, with decreased symptoms of stress, agitation, boredom, and depression.

Sensory Journey was created in cooperation with the Psychiatric Ward at Bendigo Health and combines the benefits of multi-sensory stimulation with outdoor activity in the natural environment to help improve the physical and psychological well-being of people with dementia. Sensory Journey is an outdoor activity with an emphasis on movement and the use of physical tools designed to encourage and support engagement with sensory-rich elements that exist in the surrounding natural environment.

The Activity Modules are the main components of Sensory Journey and serve as interactive touch points, each one providing a unique sensory experience: sound, smell, touch, and taste. Participant engagement is designed with different stages of dementia and levels of physical and cognitive ability in mind. In extreme cases where outdoor activity is not viable, the activity can be brought inside, bringing with it elements of natural stimuli.

The Modules are used to facilitate the creation of a trail of sensory experiences, providing a clear pathway acting to highlight opportunities for natural stimuli within the activity environment. These sensory tools are used to bring new life, meaning, and character to an existing space. A purposeful activity with an end goal and driven by a theme or narrative can in-still participants with meaningful engagement and feelings of accomplishment.