Four Lutheran Services aged care homes trial AI-generated food menus to assist residents living with dementia

A research project is using AI-generated images to create a menu of food items aimed at sparking memories for aged care residents living with dementia, helping them continue to enjoy meal times as their condition progresses. Residents at four aged care homes of Queensland Not For Profit Lutheran Services are taking part in the program, titled ‘What Would You Like to Eat? Supporting Residents with Dementia to Participate in Mealtime Decisions'. The pilot program commenced at Immanuel Gardens Aged Care in Buderim, 100km north of Brisbane, before moving to other Lutheran Services’ homes in Caboolture, Woodridge and Laidley. In follow up interviews, researchers from The University of Queensland (UQ) and University of Sunshine Coast (UniSC), measure residents’ likes and dislikes.

“I’ve been working with participants asking them how they prefer meals presented and their favourite food memories before co-creating images of meals using AI,’’ said Researcher Dr Tricia King, a lecturer in photography at UniSC. "I record what appeals to them and what doesn’t, if they prefer light or dark tablecloths, steam coming off the food, perhaps a hand visible or images taken from above. “The results will be collated and in the next few months in collaboration with the UQ researchers we will take the first steps to develop AI created images to be used as prompts for food choices of residents in aged care. “Ultimately, I see the possibility of trialling a visual menu created by AI to be used as a tool for communication to help people with dementia decide what they wish to eat.’’’

Lutheran Services Executive Lead for Aged Care and Quality, Tricia Davis, said the research strengthened Lutheran Services’ focus on high quality food and dining and would help prevent malnutrition, a significant issue in aged care with recent research showing 40% of residents are malnourished.  Dr King said the research will also explore the development of an app using AI-created images that could be used for residents as their communication abilities decrease.  Browse and check availability of aged care homes on agedcare101