Let's bring smiles to our seniors' faces this Christmas

The suffering of elderly people with neurodegenerative diseases

Cognitive disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia, inevitably lead to a gradual loss of cognitive and motor skills, a loss that is exacerbated by age and loneliness.

The Saint Joseph nursing home, located in Louveciennes, is a medical facility that accommodates 120 residents who have lost their independence and require daily assistance. A large proportion of them suffer from these neurodegenerative diseases. 

A day center has also been set up to support 15 elderly people, offering them a structured and stimulating environment while allowing caregivers to enjoy some much-needed respite. 

“Despite our best efforts, we have unfortunately found that traditional activities and stimulation programs often lack interactivity and fail to capture residents' attention or encourage them to participate actively, as we would like.” Sr. Marie-Reine.

The Tovertafel, an innovative device to stimulate and maintain the cognitive and social abilities of people weakened by illness

The Tovertafel is an interactive gaming table designed to stimulate people with dementia cognitively and physically. It has proven its worth in many care homes.

Thanks to a box placed on the ceiling, colorful light projections are emitted onto the table in the form of realistic, animated images. These colorful lights react to the slightest movements of the hands and arms, stimulating the physical activity and cognitive functions of residents.

Thanks to this device, residents are encouraged to move, whether by tapping, touching, or following the projections. This light physical activity improves their fine motor skills and helps prevent muscle atrophy. 

“These games are all designed to stimulate memory, attention, and hand-eye coordination. They are easy to use and designed so that fun is the main objective, without any player being left behind.” 

These games also promote opportunities for connection and communication between residents and with caregivers. The playful aspect of the Tovertafel provides enjoyment and, in doing so, improves the mood and emotional well-being of residents, who become much less nervous.

“We had the opportunity to test the Tovertafel during an experiment conducted with residents and caregivers. We observed real cognitive stimulation, much better social interactions within the group, and increased motor skills even among the most apathetic residents. The effects were very positive on their emotional well-being and participation.” 

This Tovertafel also offers a non-medicinal alternative to traditional therapies, reducing dependence on medication and making residents less nervous.

However, it is expensive to purchase. Unfortunately, this acquisition is a heavy burden for a nursing home and is not covered by health insurance. 

The St Joseph nursing home can commit to financing a large part of the budget, but they need to rely on support from private donors for this purchase. 

It is thanks to your generosity that our elderly residents will be able to benefit from this new therapeutic tool, which is adapted to their abilities and designed to improve their quality of life.

With them, thanks to you

If the project is funded beyond its target, the surplus donations received will be allocated to a similar project.