An interactive sensory installation, known as a “Magic Table”, is proving a popular feature for residents St. John’s Community Hospital in Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford.
The Magic Table (or ‘Tovertafel’ in Dutch) is an award-winning console innovation from the Netherlands and it uses specially designed technology to help people with mid-to-late stage dementia.
The Magic Table consists of a series of colourful and fun, interactive light games projected onto the surface of a table and which respond to hand and arm movements. It is designed to stimulate physical and cognitive activity, as well as encouraging social interaction.
The Magic Table supports healthcare staff in providing person-centered care at any time of the day and helps to manage behavioural symptoms associated with dementia.
The HSE’s Nursing Midwifery Planning and Development Unit supported and funded St. John’s Community Hospital in this project. The appliance also includes a mobile canopy sensory unit for those residents who cannot use the Magic Table and the hospital is also seeing great benefits from this. The mobile unit can be brought to an individual residents room of choice where the canopy can be used to both stimulate and relax the senses, so enhancing the resident’s wellbeing.
Opened in 2009 by the HSE as a replacement for the adjacent old St. John’s, the new Community Hospital in Enniscorthy was purpose built to provide long-term accommodation for up to 104 residents. St. John’s Community Hospital (SJCH) provides long-term residential care, rehabilitation, transitional care, respite and a Day Centre for older people in the local community. The residential care centre is divided into four units (the Beech, Elm, Ivy and Oak wards).
Director of Nursing at SJCH Ursula McPhillips said the Magic Table console is an evidence based practice and that they had known of its benefits from its operation at a residential care centre in Dublin. Since its arrival in Enniscorthy, she says the Magic Table is bearing out their expectation that it would be very stimulating for people that need stimulation.
Nurse Activities Co-ordinator at St. John’s Community Hospital Mary Fox adds:
“Once we set up the projector and table, we give a hand-held device to the resident and the magic begins!”
“Take for example, the response of some gentleman residents to animals in an agricultural setting or some of the lady residents to a projection around baking. They get joy and stimulation from this interaction and it is great for their visitors to see!”
“With a current portfolio of up to 40 games, specially developed for dementia residents and facility to add more on the Magic Table, there's something for everyone!”
Last updated on: 14 / 04 / 2025
