Inverness care home residents ‘touch the future’

Cutting edge tech is having an “incredible” positive impact on a care home’s residents in Inverness after it enabled them to enjoy “immersive” globe-trotting experiences.

Highview House recently added to its services following the introduction of a large new high-tech touch screen at the home.

The specially-adapted, fully-accessible display, which is the size of a large TV, features immersive technology that enables users to move shapes, colours and objects through gesture and movement. The touch pad has a number of features designed to help those suffering with dementia to relax.

Key features include a 4K screen which allows residents to take immersive voyages anywhere in the world, a variety of dementia-friendly apps which allow multi-sensory experiences, a virtual piano, a 3D chess set and other virtual games, large piece jigsaws and other activities for residents with mobility restrictions. The 66” screen also allows residents with visual difficulties to participate in activities they would otherwise be unable to see.

And Barchester Healthcare, which runs Highview House, said the care home’s residents had been very impressed with the new technology, with them being able to everything from virtual tours of the British Museum, to entertain bouts of 3D chess.

Aiden Wylie, lead activities coordinator at Highview, said: “The impact that the touch pad has had in a short space of time has been incredible. Residents have shown absolute delight when playing the games. It has been a real joy to see the increased interaction from residents within our home with the screen and with each other.”

Resident Carole, added that she had “really enjoyed taking a trip around the British Museum - I can use the screen to wander around the different exhibitions – I find things like this really interesting”.

The care home added that a trolley that the 66 inch touch pad is mounted to has allowed residents of all capacities and mobilities to enjoy different, sensory experiences without even leaving their rooms.

Twin wheeled castors enable the unit to be moved easily from one room to another, easily and quickly.

Barchester Healthcare is one of the UK’s largest care providers. Highview provides residential care, nursing care and dementia care for more than 70 residents from respite care to long term stays.

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.