A device which projects interactive light games onto a table is being used in Irish libraries to help people with dementia and autism.  The Tovertafel, which means “magic table” in English, is a Dutch innovation. The first such magic table was installed in DLR Lexicon in Dun Laoghaire in 2018.

Chris Baird – Head of Business Development for Tovertafel and the lead for Tovertafel in Ireland said the following, “We are delighted to be launching our first Tovertafel in Ireland at the Lexicon Library. We are always striving to encourage community spaces to become dementia friendly, so it is brilliant to see the Tovertafel installed at the heart of the community space for all generations to interact with.”

The Tovertafel is an award-winning innovation from the Netherlands, which is renowned for its cutting-edge approach to dementia care. The technology has been designed to help those at a later stage of their dementia journey to be more active and to create moments of happiness.

The device projects light animation onto a table surface and by interacting with your hands or any other tools, depending on mobility issues, the censors then interact with your movements creating the games.  The games are specially designed to help those with dementia to be more active socially, cognitively and physically.

Games include turning caterpillars into butterflies, sweeping up leaves and a music box with interactive musical notes.

Since the first Magic Table Dun Laoghaire installation, more devices have been rolled out country-wide as part of an €8 million investment for digital services and facilities in public libraries.

“Magic tables” also include games for people with autism which are described as being “more directly educational”.  For example, the magic table at Trim Library was installed last March and includes games for children with autism.

Individuals or organisations wishing to book the LexIcon table can contact the library at dlrlexiconlib@dlrcoco.ie or by phoning 01-2801147. Deansgrange users should email deansgrangelib@dlrcoco.ie or phone 01-2850860.