Activities at Ashlar House Care Home

Ashlar House has recently brought a bit of magic to residents by providing a new 'Magic Table' as a way to improve residents’ quality of life.

Designed and manufactured in the UK, the Magic Table 360 uses interactive games to connect residents with staff and with each other, and research shows it improves the well-being of people living with dementia. Using interactive light projections, the Magic Table 360, which can be played independently or in a group, stimulates movement by inviting participants to take part in all sorts of different fun activities such as popping bubbles, playing the piano, colouring in pictures, sweeping leaves or interacting playfully with fish. Games are rich in colour, movement and detail, and allow people of all ages to play in a safe and comfortable environment.

The Magic Table 360 is portable, so it can be used wherever residents feel most comfortable, it can be projected onto the floor, ceiling, walls, a whiteboard or even the bed. The Happiness Programme allows for a range of games that change seasonally and have country-specific versions covering 14 different categories, so there will always be something new for residents to try.

The benefits of the Magic Table 360 has shown to improve mood and behaviours especially across the mid-to-late stages of dementia, greater physical, social and cognitive activity, reduction in withdrawn-like symptoms, weight gain and positive impacts on relationships with care staff, friends and family.

Bingo is still our favourite activity in our care home for residents and staff. Residents were found to be engaging between players and becoming very excited to win.

Despite countrywide restrictions, Ashlar House has been able to continue its inclusion exercises within the local community. As schools are in lock down again, we are fortunate to maintain the connection via virtual classroom session.

Ashlar House would like to give a big thank you to the parents for their time getting their children to join on Zoom to celebrate National Storytelling Week. The turnout has been positive, both from all our residents, as well as the reception children. Our amazing narrator, who was not long ago was rewarded a star and certificate for such wonderful reading from the school, was centre stage, again proving that experience trumps all!

Jigsaw puzzles require full attention; it’s a favourite pastime for our residents and a fantastic way to pass a few relaxing hours—either on your own or with others—away from the distractions of today’s pandemic.

Staff at Ashlar House were delighted to be invited to have the COVID-19 vaccination, which has lifted everyone’s spirits after what has been a very challenging year for everyone.

We’ve had a year like no other and the vaccine feels like the light at the end of the tunnel. Our teams have been magnificent in how they have risen to every challenge during this pandemic and we are proud to play our part in this next phase to ensure the most vulnerable are protected.

Ashlar House residents have been reading the the reception class kids from Coopersale Theydon Garnon via Video conference. The children selected the book ahead of time and it was delivered to us several days early.

It was a fun and captivating session... our residents eagerly await their report card from the teacher.