VIDEO: A magicial addition at care home

Orione Care has installed its first Tovertafel, as it is called in Dutch, at Cardinal Heenan House in Roby Mill, Up Holland.

The table is an award-winning innovation from the Netherlands, a country renowned for its cutting-edge approach to looking after people with

Alzheimer’s and similar conditions, and its technology contains a series of games for people living with mid-to-late stage dementia.

It has been designed to encourage instinctive participation by inviting engagement and stimulating a level of physical and social activity rarely seen in people living with dementia in the later stages of their journey.

Cardinal Heenan House too prides itself on their achievements and pioneering commitment to dementia care.

Orione Care is a charitable company first established in 1952. It provides housing, care and support to older people, including those with dementia, and adults with learning disabilities.

Manager at Cardinal Heenan, Kerry Ellison, said: “I am really pleased with the efforts made by families, friends and staff to fund-raise for this magical piece of equipment.

“Seeing first-hand the joy on the residents’ faces is priceless.”

The Tovertafel creates a fun and safe environment for all of Cardinal Heenan’s residents.

The games are formulated with the intention to trigger a sense of reminiscence among players in order to encourage stimulation and social integration - cognitively and physically.

Light simulations and games are projected on to a table.

These include gardening, fishing and popping balloons.

John Ramsay, the CEO of Shift 8 Limited, the company that brought the Tovertafel to the UK, said: “We are delighted that Cardinal Heenan House Care Home have installed the Tovertafel.

“As a care home that pride themselves on dementia care, we are thrilled to further enhance the quality of life that the residents enjoy.

“It’s been incredibly moving seeing the residents interact with the Tovertafel games and each other.”