Imagine walking into a care home where your loved ones suddenly light up with joy. They reach out to touch what seems like pure magic on a table. This “magic table,” known as the Tovertafel, is a groundbreaking innovation that is helping to rewrite the script on dementia care.
What is the Tovertafel?
The Tovertafel provides a way to connect people living with dementia to the world around them, creating moments of joy and laughter. Mounted on the ceiling with a remote control, the Tovertafel projects vibrant, lifelike images onto a flat surface, such as a table or the floor. The images create interactive games that respond to movements, creating an engaging experience for patients with Alzheimer’s. Through these interactive games, they are encouraged to move more and socialize with others.
The Tovertafel in Action at Czorny Alzheimer Centre
Transforming Care at Czorny Alzheimer Centre
Recently, the Tovertafel was installed at Czorny Alzheimer Centre, a home for 72 residents living with Alzheimer’s. Czorny focuses on personalized care in a cozy, home-like environment.
At Czorny, the Tovertafel helps transform family visits from potentially stressful events into joyful bonding experiences by encouraging social interaction. By engaging the person, the table helps calm residents during their “sundowning” periods—times when agitation and confusion are often at their peak. It helps residents increase their mobility and mental stimulation. For example, when the Tovertafel senses a still hand on the table, it will prompt the person to interact by moving the projections onto their hand. With over 40 games at different levels to accommodate patients at any stage of Alzheimer’s, the Tovertafel is an extremely beneficial tool used by staff, residents, and visitors.
Thank You to Our Donors
In celebration of World Alzheimer’s Day, innovations like the Tovertafel remind us how crucial it is to continue advancing care for people living with Alzheimer’s. This day of awareness is a time to reflect on the challenges of Alzheimer’s as well as celebrate breakthroughs that improve the quality of life for patients. Because of our donors, moments of happiness are within reach for Czorny’s residents. Thank you to our donors for your support in revolutionizing care, and turning ordinary moments into extraordinary ones, one touch at a time.
