A sensory program is more than smelling, seeing, and touching pretty items. It is an opportunity to maximize brain function, which can reduce falls and agitation and improve personal daily living abilities, amongst many other things.

An excellent sensory program includes a comprehensive assessment to inform the development of an individualized sensory profile. 

The areas that require assessment include the sensory receptors (eyes, ears, mouth, skin, muscles, and joints) and their function. However, further higher-level sensory integration and processing analysis are required to determine each person's most beneficial sensory opportunities.

Needs change with the progression of dementia, delirium, stroke, and traumatic brain injury recovery, amongst other diagnoses. Therefore, a client's sensory program has to change with them to continue contributing to their quality of life and recovery (when appropriate).

A person-specific sensory program, based on their sensory profile, enhances the ability to meet needs during tasks such as eating and dressing and tolerance in social situations and suggests techniques or items that could be used regardless of location. More specifically, in many situations, the sensory program goes with the person rather than them going to it.