Residents at a Shropshire care home have been getting interactive thanks to the introduction of a new digital activity table.
The new device, which is akin to a giant-sized touch screen tablet, is being used by residents at Stone House care home in Bishops Castle for a variety of fun activities to help improve cognitive function, coordination and memory.
It is also helping to stimulate social activity amongst those living at the home and is frequently being used to facilitate video calls for residents whose families live outside of the UK.
Home manager Keturah Bloor said the interactive activity table was a superb addition to the home and residents were enjoying getting to grips with the new technology.
She said: “Our residents are fast-becoming tech-savvy individuals learning how to operate the new activity table and it has been a source of much enjoyment since it arrived at the home.
“Residents can use it for creative activities, playing digital versions of traditional board games such as chess or group quizzes and other social games.
“The large screen is much more user friendly compared to a standard tablet, particularly for those with slightly impaired vision and it’s great for supporting video calls. Our residents who have family members living abroad have been delighted to communicate with them using this new device.
“Purchasing of the activity table has only been possible due to a very generous donation from The Friends of Stone House Community Hospital, Care Home and Community, and we cannot thank them enough. It’s a terrific investment for the home particularly at a time when other activities and visits from local groups are still slightly restricted due to Covid-19.
“Technology can play a huge role in helping older people to improve brain function, recall and memory but it can also help to reduce boredom, improve mental well-being and facilitate social interaction so we will be supporting all residents to use the digital table if they wish to.”
Stone House is one of 12 homes operated by Coverage Care Services, Shopshire’s largest independent not-for-profit care provider.
It has 40 bedrooms and provides residential, dementia and respite care for older people and is attached to the town’s community hospital.
