Grand Haven, MI (WGHN) – The Loutit District Library is excited to announce the addition of a Tovertafel Pixie to its service offerings. The Pixie is a mobile, interactive projector specially developed to help improve the well-being of elderly people living with dementia. It features games co-designed with residents and care professionals that stimulate physical, social, and cognitive activity.
Funding for the Pixie was provided by a local family with a deep concern for the impact Alzheimer’s disease and dementia have on members of the community. Thanks to their generous donation, Loutit District Library is able to bring this life-improving technology to the Grand Haven area.
The Tovertafel Pixie supports the library’s mission of enriching lives and engaging the community by allowing staff to reach seniors living with dementia in a unique and meaningful way. The interactive games encourage movement, promote memory function, and foster socialization among participants. These moments of joy can help break up the stagnation often experienced by aging seniors, bringing happiness and improved overall well-being.
One of the Pixie’s greatest strengths is its mobility, which allows library staff to bring programming directly to seniors instead of requiring them to travel to the library.
“The Loutit District Library is the first library in North America to have a Pixie, and we’re thrilled to share it,” said Chelsea, Community Engagement and Marketing Manager at the Loutit District Library. “We’ve already brought it to several senior living facilities in Grand Haven, and the response has been wonderful. During just one hour at our most recent visit to Christian Haven, we saw residents become more cognizant and engaged with their peers. We were able to foster conversations with residents who were uncommunicative when we first arrived, sharing memories and laughter together. It was really special to be a part of.”
“Tovertafel helps change the way care is provided for older adults by offering interactive, multisensory activities that bring joy to our residents,” said Calysta Bailey, Life Enrichment Coordinator at Christian Haven. “It’s easy to see the immediate effect it has on quality of life as residents engage with the games—from popping bubbles to interacting with a virtual dog. Not only does it bring happiness and laughter, but it also promotes socialization among peers who might not otherwise initiate conversation. We are grateful to the Loutit District Library for providing these opportunities and look forward to more visits in the future.”
While developed for seniors living with dementia, the Tovertafel Pixie is also effective for engaging healthy seniors, individuals with developmental disabilities, and young children developing fine motor skills.
Assisted living centers or organizations interested in scheduling a visit may contact the Loutit District Library at (616) 850-6917 or loutit@loutitlibrary.org.
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