A North Carolina continuing care retirement facility recently became the first in the nation to try a mobile version of a popular resident engagement tool — one that can deliver cognitive and therapeutic benefits in a smaller, but no-less-fun package.
Staff at Acts Retirement-Life Communities Tryon, NC, location were testing out the full size version of the Tovertafel, or Magic Table last year when they learned the Dutch makers were looking to test a mobile version known as the Pixie in the US markets.
The original Magic Table casts interactive games onto a table or floors, with motion-sensor technology allowing six to eight residents to grab, kick or move “pieces” in a variety of games. The technology has been heralded as accessible and enjoyable for residents with varying degrees of cognitive impairment and has been popping up in more facilities’ common spaces.
The Pixie, a narrower upright version, can be wheeled from room-to-room and a pivoting projector can make use of either a table or wall.
April Condrey is administrator for the 52-bed Willow Brooke skilled nursing unit at Tryon Estates, a community of about 440 in Columbus, NC, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. She quickly thought of several ways to put the “lampshade on wheels” to work in quieter settings.
“With our skilled residents, we were using it in rooms for residents who are either bedbound or prefer to stay in their rooms. They’re not very involved in group activities, and we can use this on a one-on-one basis in their room,” Condrey explained. “Other ways we’ve used it include for hospice residents. There are Level 1 games that are just projections with very relaxing music that can be used for meditation or relaxation. It could be stars that are projected on the ceiling with soft music or there’s one that’s an ocean and a boat with ocean sounds.”
Katie Reilly, ACT’s corporate director of cognitive well-being, said more active residents could pick from games like soccer or puzzles, where users slide the virtual pieces into place. Another option allows staff to upload a resident’s personal image, which they can then piece back together. There are also cakes that need decorating and puppies that need petting.
Over a six-week pilot that ended mid-March, Tryon used the Pixie in a variety of spaces and settings, but focused on outcomes among a four-patient sample. Those patients looked forward to using the games three to four times a week, Condrey said.
The technology helped to spark smiles and some magical connections.
“Our goal was to use it a lot with families. That was the biggest benefit that we saw from it: Whenever families, especially younger grandchildren, come in to visit their loved one who has cognitive loss, they don’t know what to do during the visit. They don’t know how to act,” Condrey said. “This gives them a purpose during their visit that is very interactive with their loved one without them having to feel awkward or try to figure out how to fill the time.”
Reilly said ACTS already uses the full-size units in 22 communities, and wants to explore access to the mobile unit in the future. It’s not officially available in the US. She appreciated getting to be part of a pilot that benefited their residents but also allowed the team to give feedback that was appreciated by developers.
