Wing-based Carey Lodge care home, celebrated the launch of its new sensory equipment on Older People’s Day, thanks to £7,250 of fundraising support.

Older People’s Day is recognised by the UN as an opportunity to acknowledge and appreciate the extraordinary contributions and achievements of older people within society.

£5,000 was donated by The Eranda Rothschild Foundation charitable trust and additional funding was provided by Twyford Art Group as well as other donations to the home. This enabled the care home to invest in a Jolly Trolley portable cart with a smart TV, interactive software and microphone. This means residents can immerse themselves either individually or collectively in sensory activities - from quizzes to reminiscence, karaoke or relaxation.

Residents living with dementia will also benefit from 35 digital music boxes which provide personal playlists, so they can reconnect with memories via music association.

This follows a successful pilot carried out by the Trust involving a sample of residents who regularly used the digital music boxes over a period of time. By using the Bradford Well-being Profile, scores were tracked which showed the positive impact of interacting with this technology.

Representatives from the company behind the digital music boxes, Live Better With Ltd, joined residents and team members on 1st October at Carey Lodge to celebrate the importance of Older People’s Day.

Commenting on the event, Clare Hedge, manager of Carey Lodge, said:

We’re so grateful for the funding support we’ve received and were thrilled to be able to celebrate this new technology on Older People’s Day. It will be particularly beneficial in supporting the wellbeing of residents living with dementia.