Did you know that interactive games can promote cognitive development in people living with dementia? Sisters Hospitallers’ St. Teresa’s care home in England has seen truly positive results when using them with residents.
Last September, our center located in London acquired a great tool to enrich the activities of the residents. It’s called a magic box, and it helps stimulate and promote interaction between older people, especially those with dementia.
The London City Council gave us the opportunity to test it over a period of time to gauge its positive effects for ourselves. The magic table consists of a projector with interactive technology, similar to a computer, loaded with various sensory games to be played at a table. A recent study found that the brain has three areas that continue to function even in those living with dementia, while the other areas may stop working.
Specialists maintain that this magic table encourages recall, relaxation and sensory stimulation: “The various games trigger the areas of the brain that promote cognitive engagement, which then help with social and physical engagement as well.”
At the centre, they are delighted to find that this tool puts a smile on the faces of the residents with dementia, while also improving their social interactions.
The projected lights and shapes promote physical interaction, while the experience of sitting around a table, interacting and playing with others, also makes it a social opportunity.
As soon as it was turned on, it wowed and excited our residents. The magic table offers several games, so it is easy to find one according to everyone’s taste and mood. Some of the games are competitive, so users play in pairs for best results. Some of them even collected a hundred sweets in one minute!
Later, already familiar with the magic table, they learned new ways to play with it. For example, projecting flowers or a starry sky on the ceiling, for the absolute amusement of all attendees.
This initiative has created magical moments for our residents, brightening their day and bringing them closer to each other.
