Introduction: How dementia touches us all and what we can do.

We are regularly informed when watching the news or reading newspapers that the number of people living with dementia, of which there are many forms, are on the increase. These numbers will only continue to grow. Both the NHS and Care sector struggle to manage these various conditions and to provide meaningful activities and therapies. Neurological findings in recent years continue to support the claims that regularly involving people in activities which stimulate movement, communication and mental engagement will always be beneficial and ultimately enhance their quality of life.

Woodland View is a privately owned 60 bedroom Care Home in Colchester, providing residential, nursing, dementia, respite and end of life care. We are raising funds for a specific piece of equipment called an Interactive Light Table, used in the therapy of dementia. You can find more information on the facilities Woodland View Care Home provides by visiting https://www.barchester.com/home/woodland-view-care-home.

The rest of this document asks and answers some of the questions you may have.

How does a light table help with dementia?

We are always looking for things that engage and stimulate those residents who have dementia. We recently invited companies to provide demonstrations of interactive light tables. As part of the demonstrations, we involved some of our residents. The response was extremely positive.

During the recent interactive light table demonstrations, we found residents:

• actively took part rather than passively watch

• Socialised and enjoyed the activity working together

Interactive light tables can help in maintaining and improve:

• Neurological pathways

• Language and communication skills

• Coordination and physical ability

Furthermore, it was evident as we watched the demonstrations, that residents stretched their own capabilities, competed, thought about and accepted challenges. In some cases this was the first time such engagement had been seen in a long time and carers were overwhelmed to see how those residents responded and interacted with the table.

In those who have used these systems, professionals have witnessed positive changes in;

• Emotional stability

• Mood/outlook

• Sense of self-worth/belonging

• Physical effort/energy

• Social involvement

• Ability to share and enjoy

The wide variety of Apps available for use with an interactive table include;

• Interactive Quizzes

• Scenes and sounds from nature

• Social games with rising difficulty & rewards

• Nostalgic themes and music to stimulate discussion and reminiscence therapy

How can people help?

Most people know someone who is affected by dementia, directly or indirectly. In a drive to involve local people in the provision of therapy, Woodland View Care Home is seeking the support of local people and businesses to either make a one-off donation towards the purchase or be sponsors of an Interactive Light Table. The cost of one of these units is £8,000.

If Woodland View is privately owned, why doesn’t the company fund the Light Table?

Woodland View is part of Barchester Healthcare. Barchester does fundraising itself. The Barchester Charitable Foundation is a registered charity that helps older people not already in care and other adults with a disability across England, Scotland & Wales. To provide any additional in-house facilities from these funds would create a conflict of interest. Each of the Barchester homes fund raises independently both in support of its own needs as well as supporting the charitable foundation’s goals. For more information on The Barchester Charitable Foundation, please visit https://www.bhcfoundation.org.uk/

How would a business benefit from supporting this fund-raising initiative?

Many businesses do great work supporting local concerns and good causes and most of the residents at Woodland View all lived locally before moving to the home. Helping obtain an interactive light table will enhance the lives of residents living with dementia at Woodland View. Once the light table cost of £8,000 has been raised, we will host a reception here at Woodland View to celebrate with residents both the acquisition of the equipment and the generosity and support given by local people and businesses in making the purchase possible. Press and media will also be invited to the reception so there will be good coverage of the achievement and the amazing results this equipment can bring to those living with dementia.

Things are already moving!

Woodland View has close ties with a number of local schools and pupils regularly participate in our activities, working with the ladies and gentlemen who live here. We are already very fortunate to have received support from a local secondary school who apart from having designed and sold packs of Christmas cards, have committed to use a ‘dress-down day’ to raise money towards the light table. Another local Nursery who visit Woodland View having heard about the light table initiative had a collection. This was presented to us just before Christmas when the children came to sing.

You can really help!

If your organisation would be interested in using the interactive light table fundraising project as a team building exercise or make a donation or be a sponsor, please contact Kevin Riley, Activities Coordinator at Woodland View on 01206 855390.