Tasty Spoon

Background

Globally, 50 million people live with dementia and experience loss of taste buds as a symptom. Consequently, this worsens patients' health through either malnutrition or a diet with increased salt and sugar to compensate for flavour. Loss of taste also removes the enjoyment of mealtimes which impacts the wellbeing of patients. This is prevalent in patients living alone as well as those in public care homes where nutrition is generalised.

Solution

Tasty Spoon™ is a technological aid created to enhance the flavour of food without requiring additional salt or sugar. The aid resembles a traditional spoon and is easy to use, clean, recharge and maintain. Based on the results of a multidimensional research approach, the tool uses proven electrostimulation to improve the quality of life for people living with diseases that have led to the loss of taste buds, such as dementia.

Opportunity status

We are currently developing a bench-top electronics system that, connected to our 3D-printed proof-of-concept prototype spoons, will allow dementia patients, carers and other stakeholders to test the product and provide early feedback. We believe that working in collaboration with both designers and individuals living with dementia to evaluate the functional requirements and effectiveness of the spoon will create a product that truly benefits the lifestyle of customers and end users.

Support

This project is currently funded through the Alzheimer Society’s Accelerator Programme.