Interactive dementia table: 'Difference it makes to our care home residents is unbelievable'

A care home has revealed that a table displaying interactive light games and images has made an “unbelievable difference” to its residents with dementia, saying “seeing their faces light up is just so emotional”.

OM Interactive, which produces the Mobii table, originally created fixed ceiling systems projecting onto the floor for use in sensory areas in schools, hospitals and respite centres. They then introduced a mobile table version to make it easier for wheelchair users and people with dementia to access the system.

The projections include physical-challenge games, mental-agility puzzles, virtual rock-pools and water experiences, as well as nature scenes they can colour in and bubbles they can catch. There is also the option to customise the music and upload a limitless library.

The interactive table has been successful in engaging people who struggle to participate in other activities.

Fiona White, manager at Sunrise Senior Living in Eastbourne said: “I have walked into a buzz of excitement this morning. To hear that a resident who no one has ever seen smile before was splatting raspberries and engaging around the table with other residents is quite an achievement.”

'We have found a way to connect with her'

Nancy Walford, reminiscence coordinator and deputy manager at the home adds: “One of the ladies we care for is quite insular within her world, she rarely opens her eyes and interacts, but since we’ve had the Mobii table we have found a means to connect with her, it really has opened up her world. Now she will open her eyes and engage with the pictures on the table, she particularly enjoys participating in the nature ‘wipe’ activities.

“Although she is unable to communicate verbally, she is able to feed back her enjoyment by reaching forward to colour in certain images, this tells us she is seeing the picture and understanding there is something to colour like a bird or a landscape.

“Prior to the table we have had little insight into how much she understands and processes, this new knowledge allows us to tailor more activities around her needs. The table also provides her with a sense of achievement, her movements are changing the picture and she can see the product of her interactions and feel accomplished.”

In addition, the care home has found the Mobii magic table has increased her upper body mobility by giving her a reason to sit forward and outstretch her arm. “It doesn't sound like a huge thing but to give anyone a reason to interact in a physical and sensory way is widening their daily experience and enabling us to have an insight into the person behind the dementia,” added Ms Walford.

'Seeing their faces light up is so emotional'

Karen Vincent, deputy manager, Hassingham House care home in Norwich, has found the difference it has made to residents “is unbelievable”. She said: “Taking it to those who rarely want to leave their rooms and seeing their faces light up is just so emotional, I can’t tell you how choked up we all are.”

The Mobii table which won Outstanding Dementia Product of the Year Award at the Dementia Care Awards 2018, has been found to encourage social interaction, movement, physical and mental stimulation as well as a sense of emotional well-being.

Sue Faulkner, community & lifestyle manager of the Fremantle Trust, has seen wellbeing improve as a result of using the Mobii table.

She said: "Since we started using the Mobii we have seen all nine residents Well-being Profile’s improve, with some concentrating for far longer then they have before and more importantly showing enjoyment from interaction with their fellow residents. When one of our residents takes part in the games she is more able to articulate how she feels and clearly enjoys the sense of community that arises from coming together with others."

Anna Park, care consultant for OM Interactive said: “The reponses to our tables have been quite overwhelming.

“We have found they are motivating those who had previously been difficult to reach and helping remove a sense of ‘them and us’ between staff and those in their care. They are helping staff to see the real person behind the dementia.”

The Mobii table is also good at helping families and different generations interact as everyone can sit around the table and play on it together.

In addition, it is even helping keep care home residents active, with Debbie Strong, manager of Ysguborwen House care home in Aberdare, Wales, saying: “There are so many different ways of using it, we even project it onto the floor and play fitness games.”

For more information go to https://omi.uk/