By Bethany Hemsley
Belhaven House, run by Mansfield Care, has adapted an ice breaker game for residents living with dementia to encourage social interaction and stimulate their cognitive and physical needs.
Staff have introduced ‘conversation balls’ containing random questions designed to spark a memory and enable residents to share fond experiences with one another.
The activity has seen a positive reaction from residents and staff with 85 per cent of residents taking part.
The activity can also be conducted as a one-to-one session with a dedicated and highly skilled member of staff.
Fiona Hunter, Belhaven House home manager, said: “It can be a comfort to those who have dementia as it encourages them to reminisce and maybe focus on different things that day.
“Not only do the conversation balls develop cognitive behaviour, but they also help our residents get some physical exercise. The balls are thrown to each resident and they are encouraged to catch the balls, before standing up and throwing them to the next resident.”
The conversation balls enable residents to start a conversation and get to know the other residents.
They also allow staff to learn more about the residents and develop long-term relationships.
Mansfield Care specialise in small, friendly residential care homes in Edinburgh, Borders and west of Scotland. Each home is designed to an exceptional standard with state-of-the-art facilities.
Find out more here.
