Ernährungsstrategien für Menschen mit Demenz: Entwicklung von Rezepturen inkl. Nährwertberechnungen und Zubereitung von Fingerfood für Menschen mit Demenz durch Studierende der Diätologie im Rahmen der Veranstaltung „Demenz Meet“

It is estimated that there are currently about 170,000 people living with dementia in Austria. The Austrian dementia strategy aims to improve the quality of life of those affected and increase social awareness of dementia. As people with dementia often have problems with eating and drinking, nutrition plays a central role. These issues can result in malnutrition, cognitive decline, and an increased mortality risk. Food and drink can also be important resources in the daily lives of people with dementia – familiar smells and tastes, as well as the experience of enjoyment, can significantly contribute to their well-being.

The "Demenz Meet" in Steyr addresses the relevant topic of dementia under the motto "Enjoy with all your senses". Bringing together scientific findings and practical applications, the event is aimed at people with dementia, their relatives, and professionals. As part of the project, dietetics students from the University of Applied Sciences for Health Professions Upper Austria are developing dishes that will be served at the event. They will consider nutritional, physiological and sensory factors. The students are also creating information materials tailored to the target group, designed to impart knowledge about nutrition and dementia in an accessible way. The focus is on creating an enjoyable, everyday diet that meets the needs of people with dementia.

The aim of the project is to provide practical nutritional solutions for people with dementia as well as to share knowledge and promote research expertise by developing suitable meals, creating easy-to-understand information materials and involving students in scientific projects. In this way, research, teaching and practice are closely linked.