Scent-Based Reminiscence in Practice: A Practical Guide for Occupational Therapists

A short, evidence-informed course, introducing occupational therapists (OTs) to the use of scent as a person-centred prompt for autobiographical memory, reflection and meaningful conversation. It explores the relationship between olfaction, emotion and memory, before translating this knowledge into practical guidance for preparing and facilitating scent-based reminiscence sessions with older adults. The course includes conversation prompts, adaptable activity ideas, illustrative case examples and downloadable planning and recording tools, to support thoughtful application across a range of care and community settings. This course is designed for OTs and allied health professionals working with older adults, including those in: • Care homes and long-term residential settings • Memory clinics and dementia day services • Community-based rehabilitation and home care • Hospital and inpatient rehabilitation settings • Reminiscence groups and psychosocial intervention programmes It is particularly relevant for practitioners supporting individuals living with dementia, age-related cognitive changes, or those who may benefit from sensory-based, person-centred engagement approaches. No specialist training in aromatherapy or sensory science is required - this guide is intended to be practical and accessible for everyday clinical use. Learning Outcomes - By the end of this course, learners will be able to: • Describe the relationship between olfaction, emotion and autobiographical memory • Identify key safety and person-centred considerations when introducing scent into reminiscence practice • Plan and facilitate a structured scent-based reminiscence session • Select and adapt scent prompts, questions and activities to reflect an individual's preferences, history and needs • Observe, reflect on and document responses to support future sessions