Technology At Bradbury Court Inspires Residents Living With Dementia
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 available at the home.
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. Commenting on her spectacular achievement Elaine said: “I wanted to do something to raise money for all my residents at Bradbury Court 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.”
Sian Hennessy, the Activities Co-ordinator at Bradbury Court has seen the positive impact the interactive table has had on her residents. Sian said: “Our interactive table has a large 32” colour flat screen and can be easily positioned to suit the resident’s needs. It’s proved to be a big hit with everyone, whether for group or individual use. For example, 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 as they enjoy the Bubble Blasting and Colour Swirl games.
“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. He is living with dementia but was pointing to different people on the screen, making noises which clearly showed he was engaging with the photos. The smile he had was fantastic to see. I am now looking to helping more families of our residents to do the same.”
Sian continued: “We have some residents who open up to staff members and tell us stories about their pasts and careers whilst using the interactive table. We use Spotify and one resident’s family put a playlist together for her. The other day it was just the two of us listening to her playlist and 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 know her favourite song and can play it for her during activities or to cheer her up.”
Elaine concluded: “I’m so happy that the money the skydive raised has given our residents a great new, interactive pastime that they all enjoy. It makes it all worthwhile seeing them happy, smiling and enjoying the new gadgetry. They’ve picked it up very quickly.”
