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What to do with Dementia Patients?

There are many different activities to do with people living with dementia to stimulate them and calm them. One of these activities includes the Happiness Programme, an interactive light projector that has over 80 games and activities to improve the physical and mental health of people living with dementia.

How Grace Care used New Technology to run better Activity Sessions

The Introduction of the Magic Table 360

Grace Care tackled these challenges by regular use of the magic table 360, using 1-2-1 and socially distanced group sessions. Due to its portability, the magic table 360 has been used in bedrooms too. This allowed for more people to benefit from the technology

Leanne Duffety, Head of Dementia Care at Grace Care Centre, said:

“Since the introduction of our magic table 360 a few weeks ago, we have seen a positive effect on the well-being of our residents with reduced anxiety, apathy and restlessness.”

She continues:

“Engagement Levels with the table are high and this has helped to further strengthen relationships with staff and residents. We have also seen an increased interaction between residents during this time, particularly from those with a diagnosis of dementia who are now benefitting from the physical and social stimulation the Happiness Programme brings.”

Bringing People Together

Leanne mentions two residents who don’t usually get along. She says:

“That changes when they’re both sat at the magic table 360 and they can sit and play various games with each other. When we take the magic table 360 away, that same relationship isn’t there. The magic table 360 is bringing people like that together.”

Leanne then mentions a gentleman who lives with impaired vision in one eye. She says that:

“Finding engaging activities for him is usually hard, but he seems to really enjoy the magic table 360- especially the Leaves game with the sounds of rustling leaves and popping acorns. He also suffers with anxiety which affects his speech. The magic table 360 sessions have helped this, improving his ability to communicate. It’s been really effective.”

She adds:

“Magic table 360 sessions have become an important therapeutic intervention, and is often used to improve mood, reduce agitation and improve overall well-being levels. Using PRN medication has side effects and can affect mobility, so anything we can use to reduce the use of medication is really important to us.”

When asked whether she would recommend the Happiness Programme to others, she says:

“Definitely get it! With times as they are, it’s something new and exciting that they (residents) would find interesting!”.

The Order of St John’s Care Trust are a leading not-for-profit care provider offering a variety of residential and day care services.

Not a member of the Happiness Programme?

The Happiness Programme is a first-of-its-kind initiative helping to change the lives of people living with cognitive challenges. We use interactive light technology to provide meaningful activities for residents and patients in care homes and care settings.  For more detail on what the Happiness Programme is and how it’s helping care venues across the UK, visit our getting started page.

Alternatively, jump to our dementialearning disability and NHS pages for more specific detail on how it’s helping care homes like Barchester and HC-One as well as hospitals and local authorities such as St George’s Hospital, London and Westminster and South Kensington Council.

For anything else, you can contact us here too.

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