Interactive games – engaging and stimulating

Many of our homes have large experience tables or Magic Tables, where residents play interactive light games which encourage social, cognitive and physical stimulation.

They might be using their hands to catch fish in a pond, bounce beach balls to one another or fill in the missing word in a popular rhyme. The vibrant colours and sounds of the games are engaging and stimulating.

Home manager at our Lake View Residential Care Home in Telford, Dannie Sheldon says: “Our residents love our Magic Table and it’s a joy to see them playing and socialising together. The games often prompt lovely conversations and laughter.”

The Magic table was created in the Netherlands for people living with dementia, with games that encourage players to reach out towards them, with lights that respond to their movements.

We’ve found that residents can be instinctively drawn to the table and sit around it, playing games together. They often strike up conversations prompted by cues in the games.

There are also fantastic multi-generational benefits, as children can play games with their grandparents when they visit, creating wonderful memories.

One of the latest investments we’ve made is in a pioneering piece of technology called Motiview, where residents can enjoy physical exercise using static peddles, while they ‘virtually’ visit their chosen destination on a screen.

They can take a trip down memory lane and visit somewhere special, or they can embark on a journey of discovery by going somewhere completely new. There are hundreds of destinations to choose from in countries around the globe.

We’ve rolled out Motiview to our each of our regions for our homes to try, and we are getting some fantastic feedback. It’s proving to be wonderful for reminiscence, especially for our residents living with dementia, who can ‘virtually’ cycle through streets that remind them of their childhood or a treasured holiday destination.

For more about how we are enriching lives at Sanctuary Care our Enquiry Support Team are here to talk on 0800 917 0478.