That day, there are four of them seated around the table – the Tovertafel or “magic table”. To the tune of retro jazz, cutlery appears. Mireille, Jeanine, Marie-Thérèse and Paul, rags in hand, begin to shine virtual knives and forks. “ I don’t see much there », laughs the octogenarian, enthusiastic.
Encourage motor skills and memory
Suffering from cognitive disorders, these patients are received in the long-term care unit of Mauléon hospital (Deux-Sèvres). They regularly participate in sessions. Functioning as a kind of connected overhead projector, this table has around thirty games, of varying levels of difficulty, where motor skills and memory are required. You can throw a ball back and forth without ever dropping it, make flowers bloom or play melodies by moving your hands…
« These are games that do not put them in check », Indicates Fabienne Roy. Animator at the hospital, she discovered Tovertafel during a conference.
Bring down tensions
Helped by local partners and the Bien vivre ensemble association, the Mauléon establishment acquired this innovative system two years ago. “ We have very apathetic residents, for whom the relationship is complicated, even through language. They can thus express themselves differently. And sometimes, this unlocks speech: a resident who no longer spoke managed to name flowers! We also use it individually with aggressive patients to reduce tension. », specifies the professional.
Sometimes, this unlocks speech: a resident who no longer spoke managed to name flowers!
Fabienne Roy facilitator at Mauléon hospital
The Tovertafel, which involves the physical, cognitive, social and sensory levels, is also used with patients in the Alzheimer’s day center and those in the nursing home. “ It is a wonderful tool that combines relaxation and neurocognitive reminiscences. The residents are much calmer, able to concentrate, to have gestures that they had lost », Underlines Caroline Lety, health executive. “ There can be moments of complicity between them, even fits of laughter. Sometimes we involve their families. Through play, we create fun and connection », adds Florence Clochard, gerontology care assistant.
Well-being for patients but also benefits for caregivers, with easier exchanges with patients. “ People have fun: when you have to sing, there’s a great atmosphere! », testifies Ludovic Travert, educational and social support at day reception.
