News apetito raises dessert offering to Level 5


Leading care home meals supplier apetito has revealed its new dysphagia-friendly dessert range.


apetito has extended its award-winning


range of texture modified meals with a brand- new range of IDDSI (International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative) Level 5 desserts, which it says will give providers greater choice in supporting residents living with dysphagia (a swallowing condition often associated with dementia that results in residents requiring a softer diet).


The supplier’s Level 5 desserts, which have


been in development for many months, are based on three traditional - and much-loved - favourites – apple sponge, sticky toffee sponge, and rice pudding. All three are gluten free, with the sticky


toffee sponge variant providing an energy dense option that caters for those at risk of malnutrition. In common with other apetito offerings, the new texture modified desserts have been carefully moulded to look and taste exactly like the original dish. Richard Woodward, general manager of apetito care homes division says: “A strong focus for our business is looking at the future of dementia-friendly dining, which is something that our care home customers take very seriously. “We continue to work in close collaboration with our customers to understand their needs and their challenges and are proud to have developed this delicious new range of safe and nutritionally balanced desserts that we hope their residents will enjoy.”


New wearable aims to sock it to dementia


Smart socks that track rising distress in the wearer could improve the wellbeing of people living with dementia. Inventor Dr Zeke Steer quit his job and took a PhD at Bristol Robotics Laboratory so he could find a way to help people like his great grandmother, who became anxious and aggressive because of her dementia. Milbotix’s smart socks track heart rate,


sweat levels, and motion to give insights on the wearer’s anxiety levels. They look and feel like normal socks, do not need charging, are machine washable, and provide a steady stream of data to carers, who can easily see their patient’s metrics via an app. Dr Steer said: “The foot is actually a great place to collect data about stress, and socks are a familiar piece of clothing that people wear every day. Our research shows that the socks can accurately recognise signs of stress – which could really help not just those with dementia, but their carers too.” Milbotix was launched as a business in February 2020. Dr Steer is currently testing the socks with people living with mid to late- stage dementia before bringing the product to market next year. Milbotix will begin a funding round later this year. “I came to see that my great grandmother wasn’t an isolated episode, and that distressed


June 2022 www.thecarehomeenvironment.com


behaviours are very common,” Dr Steer explained.


Milbotix is currently a team of three, including Jacqui Arnold, who has been working with people living with dementia for 40 years. She said: “These socks could make such a difference. Having that early indicator of someone’s stress levels rising could provide the early intervention they need to reduce their distress – be that touch, music, pain relief, or simply having someone there with them.” Milbotix will be supported by Alzheimer’s Society through their Accelerator Programme, which is helping fund the smart socks’ development and providing innovation support. Natasha Howard-Murray, senior innovator at Alzheimer’s Society, said: “Some people with dementia may present behaviours such as aggression, irritability, and resistance to care. This innovative wearable tech is a fantastic, accessible way for staff to better monitor residents’ distress and agitation.” Professor Judith Squires, deputy vice- chancellor at the University of Bristol, said: “It is fantastic to see Zeke using the skills he learnt with us to improve the wellbeing of some of those most in need. The innovative research that Zeke has undertaken has the potential to help millions live better lives. We hope to see Milbotix flourish.”


Sanders Senior Living makes Worcester source of dementia awareness Sanders Senior Living’s care home The


Belmont hosted Paul Gaskell, director of wellbeing and dementia care, for a series of dementia awareness sessions for the Worcester community. Several 90-minute presentations on dementia took place throughout the day on 3 May and family, friends, and members of the professional community were invited to attend.


Points of conversation included discussing what ‘dementia’ means and how people who live with dementia can still live well. Paul presented different ways to support and encourage those living with dementia, through cognitive stimulation, life story work, and physical, mental, and social activity. The attendees also engaged in empathy exercises to better understand what living with dementia is like. Another topic of discussion was how space can be designed in a way that creates a calming, inclusive sense of familiarity. The day’s event generated lots of interest, with family members and representatives from Age UK and the Dementia Café in attendance. The Belmont team are hoping to host additional sessions in the future.


Paul Gaskell said: “It was great to be able to lead an important presentation and discussion on dementia awareness for relatives and the wider community. It’s so important that those in the community have a welcoming space to feel supported and to come away with the knowledge and confidence to further care for their loved ones. At the end of the session, I issued everyone with a range of information and handouts and my business card, inviting them to contact me if they wish any support or advice.”


Customer relations manager, Tommy


Fellows, who organised the event, said: “I am so pleased that Paul was able to come and support The Belmont community with such informative sessions on dementia. We received such lovely feedback from guests and with such success, we hope to hold sessions like this again soon. This event is just one of the ways we are striving to become a pillar of support for the Worcester community.”


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