Partnering to help those living with dementia

Morgan Sindall Property Services (MSPS) and their sub-contractors Langley have donated 10 iPads to the Dementia Hub.

The staff at the Dementia Hub will be able to use the iPads to engage people living with dementia.

The Dementia Hub, situated on Sidmouth Road in Leyton, supports people living with dementia and their carers with cognitive stimulation sessions, advice, salon treatments and more.

MSPS has chosen to support the Dementia Hub with its Christmas charity appeal as part of their social value work linked to its contract with Waltham Forest Council. So far, they have supported the Dementia Hub by providing:

• Garden furniture: allowing service users to enjoy the sensory garden.
• Karaoke machine: equipment to allow service users to sing their favourite songs from the past, prompting memories and encouraging interaction.
• Christmas party: MSPS provided food, drink, an entertainer and presents for a Christmas celebration at the Dementia Hub on 22 December.
• Love to Shop vouchers: MSPS provided 60 vouchers worth £20 each for the unpaid carers of those living with dementia.
• Equipment for activities, including a parachute for gentle exercise and craft materials.

Ian Webb, Regional Director at MSPS, said, “We are really proud to be supporting the Waltham Forest Dementia Hub through our Christmas appeal this year. Carers play a vital role in supporting people living with dementia to remain in their homes, in familiar surroundings. We hope that our donations to the hub will make a real difference to those living with dementia and their carers.”

The iPads provided will have a positive impact through cognitive stimulation for those living with dementia, including:

• Quizzes.
• Games.
• Arts and crafts.
• Listening to music.
• Watching old TV and film clips.

Previously, staff had been using their phones for this when doing home visits, but the iPad offers a bigger screen area.

The iPads also allow easy feedback on the person living with dementia and how they have engaged with the session.

Cllr Louise Mitchell, Cabinet Member for Adult Services, said, “Thank you to MSPS and Langley for providing these iPads for our service users.

“It is great to see how people living with dementia engage with this technology, triggering memories and encouraging interaction.

“I recently had the pleasure of seeing the reaction of a woman living with dementia, who was able to see markets from her childhood through maps. This is possible through technology these days and can have a positive impact on mental wellbeing.”