AT Bradbury Court, one of Friends of the Elderly’s three Malvern care homes, which is specifically focused on caring for those living with dementia, the residents have been enjoying and benefiting from new, interactive technology.  

The team at the home invested in the interactive table after Elaine Banks, the care home manager, decided to take part in an exciting fundraising effort to raise money for a cause close to her heart.

Elaine said: “I wanted to do something to raise money for all my residents as they are my extended family, especially as I no longer have my parents or grandparents with me.

“I’d always wanted to do a skydive so I thought I’d tick it off my bucket list. Of course I was nervous getting ready and going up in the plane, but as soon as I jumped, I felt like I was flying, it was brilliant.”

The high-quality interactive touch screen activity table is specifically designed to deliver a unique experience for people living with dementia. As the residents play and interact with the technology, they experience and enjoy a wide range of stimulating activities which ignite and provoke their senses, which helps them to engage, relax and reminisce. 

Sian Hennessy, activities co-ordinator at Bradbury Court, said: “Our interactive table has a large 32-inch colour flat screen.

“A group of our residents like using it together and work as a team to play Word Search and others love watching Google Earth looking at different types of cars. It’s also great for our residents whose eyesight isn’t very good.                   

“I supported a relative of one of our residents in putting a USB stick together with a collection of photos of his loved ones and friends. When we played it on the table for him to watch, his whole face lit up.

“We use Spotify and one resident’s family put a playlist together for her. The other day she started telling me that the particular song that was playing was a favourite of hers and that she used to do the ironing to it at home. Now we can play it for her during activities or to cheer her up.”