Real stories

Using interactive light technology to involve and stimulate people with dementia

From reducing stress to boosting self-esteem, there are many ways people with dementia benefit from engaging activities. They can also strengthen connections with family, friends and carers. 

Social-Ability uses light technology to enrich activities for people living with cognitive challenges, including dementia. 

The Kent-based company creates stimulating interactive games that can be projected onto surfaces such as tables, walls and ceilings. 

John Ramsay, Managing Director, says, ‘It’s possible for people living with dementia to lead happy, fulfilling lives when they’re supported with the right resources. 

By engaging their senses in comfortable environments, light activities can prompt memory recall and bring people real happiness.

How the games work 

John is inspired by his experience of caring for his dad, who had dementia. 

After pausing his career in law, John began learning about interactive light technology, and how it could make a difference to people living with dementia. 

There are almost 200 games in Social-Ability’s cheerfully named Happiness Programme. 

‘They range from something as simple as searching for hidden acorns among piles of leaves, to something more challenging like a general knowledge quiz. 

‘We also create games connected to key moments throughout the year that evoke memories. 

‘For example, Olympics-related games and games with a Christmas theme that allow people with dementia and their families to enjoy festivities together.’

Staying active with dementia 

There’s a lot of evidence that being active can benefit people with dementia, physically and emotionally. 

But Sport England research also shows that, if you live with a long-term condition such as dementia, you’re twice as likely to be inactive. 

‘We were working on a project to find ways to help people living with dementia in care homes to do more movement in their everyday life,’ says Steve McFadyen, Senior Innovator at Alzheimer’s Society.

‘Once we saw what Social-Ability were doing with the Happiness Programme, we knew we didn’t need to create something from scratch. 

‘It made much more sense to work with them and to build on their great work. We used their product and expertise with our insights and connections to people living with dementia, and off we went.’ 

Encouraging physical activity

With support from Sport England, our partnership with Social-Ability has produced three new interactive light games. They’re designed to encourage physical activity, improve mobility and stimulate the senses. 

‘We were able to share all our learning from various projects and turn that into suggestions for new games, based on what people living with dementia had told us,’ explains Steve. 

In one game, Wheel of Dance, players spin a wheel and try out different dance steps. In Matching Bread, they match different types of bread on cards. In Rocket Rush, players save stars from meteors in a virtual space setting. 

These games were taken on the road and tested in care homes in places including Derby, Manchester, London, Sheffield and Newcastle.

Creating games that are sensitive to the needs of people with dementia is a delicate balancing act, says John. 

It’s really important to ensure that they are safe as well as fun, physical activities that can also support mental wellbeing.

Benefits of exercise

Seeing the energy, enjoyment and positivity that people get from the games has been hugely inspiring. 

John recalls seeing Pam, a former ballet dancer, transform as she tested the Wheel of Dance at Aria Care’s Thames View care home. 

‘She sprang to her feet, dancing around the room, also providing entertainment for other residents too.’  

The games not only lifted her spirits in the moment but kept her in high spirits for the rest of the day.

As well as getting people moving, the games can also bring people together. 

Sarah, whose dad Christopher also lives at Thames View, explains how the experience benefited her family. 

‘It’s hard to find things to do with my dad because his attention span is so short and his short-term memory is so small. 

An interactive game that changes quickly is really good and something we can do together as a family, including my young son.

Testing games at care homes

Testing in care homes around the UK has been useful, adds John

Listening to what works best for people with dementia, which can change all the time, and then adapting is the number one priority.

‘The study has reconfirmed that the games need to be led by the players.’ 

‘For example, early versions of the Rocket Rush game were too complicated for some participants when we tested them. So, we’ve simplified and adapted them based on feedback.’ 

For Steve, the project has been hugely exciting, and we can’t wait to see what impact the games have when they’re rolled out. 

‘Seeing ideas go from scribbles on a piece of paper to something that has the potential to improve people’s lives is what innovation is all about,’ he says.