'Magic tables' help stimulate dementia patients at two Sheffield nursing homes

Residents at the Woodland View and Birch Avenue homes in Gleadless and Chapeltown were bought two so-called ‘magic tables’, which help mentally stimulate dementia patients.

The tables were purchased for the homes by two Masonic lodges from Yorkshire and Derbyshire, who contributed around £13,000 between them.

Chris Herrett, aged 69, visits the home to see his wife Joy, aged 66, who has been a resident there for the last 18 months.

Chris, who is a freemason himself, said the tables were ‘brilliant’ and allowed residents to ‘stay in touch’ with their loved ones for longer.

He said: “Joy was diagnosed with early-onset dementia in 2017 at the age of 63.

“I cared for her myself at home but she came in here to give me some respite in September 2018 and never left.”

The tables provide interactive stimulation for patients with dementia, allowing them to play simple games alone or with loved ones.

The games are powered by ‘Tovertafel’ projectors, which cost more than £8,500 each with the enhanced software package which both homes have also been bought.

Centre manager, James Sherwin, however, said the tables had already proved invaluable to residents and their families.

“It is an absolutely fantastic piece of kit which is so intuitive,” he said.

“When families bring grandchildren in it’s great to have something everyone can participate in which doesn’t feel demeaning.

“I’ve fallen in love with it already.”

Sue Harding from the Woodland View Support Group said the two homes already provided an outstanding level of care, but that the tables had enhanced this still further.

She said: “These homes allow people who have the most severe forms this dreadful disease to live with some sense of dignity.

“They keep our relatives in the present day rather than drifting off into their world and we are blessed to have them.”

“They are an asset to the city and we will not give them up without a fight.”