“Tovertafel”!  

Meaning “magic table” in Dutch, the Tovertafel table is the District’s latest innovation tool offered in the Adult Day Center.  The Magic Table program is an award-winning system that has become a tool in more than 10,000 dementia care communities worldwide, and Camarillo Health Care District is the first to acquire and use it in California!

An interactive gaming system, the Magic Table is designed for “purposeful play” for participants with cognitive and intellectual challenges and was first developed for older adults living with dementia.

Research shows that playing on the Magic Table can break through restless and tense behavior, as well as increase positive emotions in people living with dementia. Games are created for a range of cognitive abilities with varying levels of complexity, and can be played individually or as a group, which promotes social bonding.

“Incorporating the Magic Table into the Center’s offerings provides a new method of engagement for our participants and staff,” said Adult Day Center Director Mary Ann Ratto. “In addition to providing physical, cognitive and social stimulation, this system is also designed as an all-inclusive activity for those with varying degrees of cognitive impairment.”

With more than 40 games, the choices are broad and diverse and include such activities as “baking” a loaf of bread, creating a song by tapping a keyboard, painting a picture or putting together a jigsaw puzzle simply by waving their hands. There is also a picnic spread complete with flies to swat, a pile of autumn leaves to toss while uncovering ladybugs, colorful kites to fly, and fun activities like “Whack a Mole” and “Memory Matching Game.”

It works by projecting vibrant, lifelike images onto a surface in the form of games that react to the swipe of a finger, wave of a hand or arm movement. The games employ a “no-fail, layered design,” which means that participants can play according to their ability, helping to instill confidence and making the games easy to enjoy, while promoting physical movement, social interaction and cognitive stimulation.