Interactive £8,000 machine brightens life at care home

A care home has bought an £8,000 machine it hopes will revolutionise the way residents spend their days.

Hassingham House Care Centre in Hingham unveiled its new OMI projector on Wednesday, October 3.

The machine, called The Mobii because it is fully portable, projects interactive images onto white surfaces and that can respond to touch.

People can play simple games akin to on an Ipad, which are designed to help and appeal particularly to those with Dementia.

The games are brightly coloured but slow moving, helping to exercise the brain in a fun and non-distressing way.

Karen Higgs, the activities co-ordinator, said: 'The sensory projector can go anywhere we require it so you can put it on residents' beds. A good setting is a glass bottom boat, where you can chase the fish.

'It's a wonderful bit of equipment. Anyone who is ill in bed can still interact with it. You can do paintings, make a cake, or play music.

'I saw it at a seminar earlier this year, and thought we've got to get one. I can't believe we managed to get it this soon.'

Hassingham House has been fundraising for months through activities such as bakes sales, raffles, and contributions by residents' families, but the biggest boost came when the parent company of the home agreed to pay half the cost.

James Colchester, a 44-year-old resident, said: 'I think it's fantastic. It's something that is going to benefit everyone in the place, and I really think it's amazing we have got it, a lot of hard work has gone into fundraising.

'It will benefit me because I can go and use it whenever I want. I find my co-ordination isn't very good sometimes with my epilepsy. It speeds it up and over time it will help me speed it up more. It keeps my mind busy, and doesn't effect my epilepsy with lights. I'm really pleased we have got it.'

Heather Cane, daughter of one of the residents and a money donor, said: 'When they came to do the demonstration I happened to see it and there were four residents around the table, and I saw them all interacting with each other and the joy in the room.

'My mum is stuck in bed but as it's portable she can get involved. I think every home should have one.'