Managing Jigsaw Puzzles in Care Homes

Sept. 15, 2009 - PRLog -- Jigthings explain the attraction of jigsaw puzzles in care homes and suggest ways to make them manageable and more enjoyable.

The following list helps explain the enduring popularity of jigsaw puzzles:
•   Enjoyed by everyone regardless of age or mobility
•   Pictures match the interests of the people involved
•   One or many people participate at any one time
•   Stop and start as you please – no time limits
•   Fun way to spend time with visitors
•   Encourages a community spirit
•   No complicated rules to learn
•   Ideal “Brain exercise”
•   Inexpensive

Colin King from Jigthings points out “There is no doubting the popularity of jigsaw puzzles amongst the elderly and those in poor health but the problems for staff are twofold:  Firstly trying to keep up to 1,000 loose pieces constantly safe and tidy and secondly what to do with the puzzle if the area is required for something else”.

The tidiness issue can be solved with the use of a jigsaw puzzle board (Jigboard) and a jigsaw puzzle safe (Jigsafe). The sturdy puzzle board is easily portable and provides a firm surface on which to make a jigsaw; a raised rib around the outside of the board ensures that pieces are not knocked off and lost.  Whilst the Jigsafe comprises 7 very light boxes that will hold up to 1,000 loose pieces – all the right way up.  Each box is easily held in one hand or moved from one place to another.  At the end of the day all the Jigsafe boxes nest inside each other and create a multi-layer sandwich in which every puzzle piece is kept safe and secure.

The above combination of Jigboard and Jigsafe provides a simple solution if space is not limited but if the table on which the jigsaw resides is often required for other purposes a Jigsort will probably provide the best answer.  Jigsort is a puzzle case that contains a complete jigsaw kit comprising a Jigboard and “Sort Trays” on which to keep the unassembled pieces.  The whole assembly fits into the exterior zip-up case to enable a jigsaw to be packed-away in seconds.

Details of the complete Jigthings range along with videos showing how they are used can be found at http://www.jigthings.com.  

Details of the Jigthings Puzzle Board (Jigboard) can be found at http://www.jigthings.com/JigsawBOARDS/ and detalis of the Jigthings Puzzle Case (Jigsort) can be found at http://www.jigthings.com/JigsawCASES/

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Jigthings are the World leaders in the development of jigsaw puzzle accessories. The company sells direct to consumers in the UK via its website. Products include puzzle boards, puzzle cases, puzzle frames, puzzle mats and puzzle tables.