TOPSHAKE
Replace sandwiches soaked in coffee with complete, easy-to-swallow meals
What
As we get older, our tastes change. From a certain age, food seems to lose its taste. In residential care centers or even at home, this can lead to malnutrition or at least a deficiency of certain nutrients. It is therefore essential to find solutions for food that take into account the tastes and needs of the elderly. We developed a healthy, tasty and scientifically sound breakfast: TOPS Multi-Start!
In this report on local tv-channel RTV journalist Ilse tries out our products.
Goal
To let elderly people with dementia who are given mashed food for breakfast, enjoy their food again and improve their nutritional status.
Relevance
This research started when the nursing and care home De Bijster in Essen came knocking at M&C. They were looking for alternatives for the breakfast of their residents. Bread with chocolate or jam poured over with coffee or tea: everyone gets tired of that after a while. The coffee or tea also doesn’t taste good anymore. The situation is even worse for people with dementia: their sense of taste and smell deteriorates even more. Often swallowing problems also arise. Together with a Sodexo chef, a nutritionist, a dietician and the KU Leuven, we formed a team and looked for a solution together.
Our role
Mobilab&Care developed a recipe for a balanced breakfast that was scientifically substantiated. Since the target group suffers from swallowing problems, Lab4Food from the KU Leuven joined, so that the breakfast was not only tasty, but also easy to swallow. Topshake was born!
In various nursing homes, this Shake was tested in a controlled environment among the target group. The results were promising. The energy and protein intake was higher and there was a positive influence on eating behavior and swallowing function.
To reach a larger audience with the Shake, a Research and Development project was started in 2012 with Michel Tops, CEO of TOPS FOODS nv. This food company is known for the preparation of ready-made meals. Michel lost his grandmother who suffered from dementia and was enthusiastic to participate. The multidisciplinary team was supplemented with a dietician to fully align the breakfast nutritionally with the target group. In addition, new flavors were developed with the entire team, which often involved long testing procedures to fine-tune the breakfasts in all respects.
Topscare.com was founded where private customers can order the strengthening meals and have them delivered to their home.
In 2018, Sodexo and TOPS FOODS signed a contract, which means that all nursing homes and hospitals in Belgium where Sodexo provides the meals, will use Multistart, which has become the new name for the strengthening breakfast.
In the meantime, this research has led to various publications, teaching packages and knowledge about swallowing. In addition, we have developed a natural, liquid product, guaranteed without preservatives, fresh and specially intended for elderly people with swallowing problems.
Our product is a nutritionally tailored breakfast for the target group, with basic and natural ingredients and in different flavors.
Future
Today, work is being done on fine-tuning the shelf life of Multistart and developing recipes that fit within different diets such as lactose-free. There is also a look at expanding the target group such as people with disabilities.
Onderzoeker
Lieven De Maesschalck
Innovation manager for the team, end-user driven with the aim of creating impact at the intersection of technology and wellbeing.
Partners
