Smart spoon ‘restores’ dementia sufferers’ taste buds
29 Jul 2024
Loss of taste is one of the many symptoms of dementia and one that not only impacts sufferers’ quality of life but can have serious implications for their health.
Now, technology developed by researchers at the University of Sheffield and the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) has created a cutlery tool designed to counter this.
The trademarked Tasty Spoon employs electrostimulation to help patients differentiate between different types of food.
Dr Christian Morgner, of the University of Sheffield’s Management School and Healthy Lifespan Institute, who is leading the work, explained the vital role taste could play in dementia patient health.
Dementia can cause a decline of working taste buds can result in sufferers failing to eat sufficient amounts of the right foods, or consuming too much salt and sugar in compensation, so increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke and kidney disease, said Morgner.
He added: “A loss of taste can remove the enjoyment of food which impacts patient wellbeing as food plays such a significant role in our lives. This is especially prevalent in patients who live alone or in public care homes with more generalised nutrition.
“The development of a technological aid like the Tasty Spoon has the potential to rekindle the pleasure of eating for those facing taste-related challenges and therefore contribute to better health as well as mitigating the expense of treating the side-effects of poor nutrition for the NHS.”
Research engineers at AMRC are developing a prototype spoon incorporating the electronics needed to deliver electrostimulation.
The project has been funded by the Alzheimer’s Society through its Accelerator Programme – designed to support people to boost new dementia products and innovations to market.
Simon Lord, head of innovation at the society, said: “Common symptoms of dementia, such as memory loss and difficulties with thinking and problem-solving, can make it more difficult to eat and drink well. That’s why we’re excited about the possibility Tasty Spoon presents in improving the taste and enjoyment of food and subsequently improving the health and nutrition of people living with dementia.”
Pic: Jsme Mila
