Porcelain for All - a nursing home study.

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Materials Science
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• Dementia often leads to decreased food intake and undernutrition in elderly individuals.
• The design and color of dinnerware can influence appetite and eating behaviors.
• Figgjo AS initiated research into colored porcelain to address potential impacts on food consumption.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of different colored dinner plates on food intake and appetite in dementia sufferers.
• To explore the relationship between porcelain design, mealtime dignity, and appetite in the elderly population with dementia.

Main Methods:

• A three-week intervention study involving 12 dementia sufferers (65-85 years old).
• Observation of mealtimes, with plates photographed before and after eating.
• Collection of qualitative data through two CurroCus® group interviews.

Main Results:

• Plates featuring a white well, yellow lip, and red rim were associated with higher food intake.
• Key themes identified included mealtime dignity, porcelain design preferences, and appetite stimulation.
• Qualitative data provided insights into resident experiences and perceptions.

Conclusions:

• Colored porcelain shows promise in potentially preventing undernutrition among the elderly with dementia.
• Further research is recommended with larger sample sizes, diverse settings, and varied food presentation methods.
• This study highlights the limited existing research on the combined effects of colored porcelain, food intake, and dementia.