More variable food and nutrition services for young old

Abstract

Abstract Aging population means more costs on health services by frailty, illnesses and malnutrition. Good nutrition and suitable food services can prevent life quality loss and costly consequences. The young old, retired and home living, not receiving municipal services yet, could benefit minor nutritional support and new services helping them keep functionality. However, few services are targeting the young old. Providing new food or nutrition services for people still in good condition might prevent costly care later. The aim is to identify new service ideas and designs for the young old. The project started as part of Agefood-project (Valve et al 2018) and continued with students in 2019. Methods The service ideas and designs were produced in three future workshops, in Jyväskylä (n = 38, food service professionals, service developers, nutritionists), Mikkeli (n = 15, food service and home care professionals, elderly) and Lahti (n = 11, elderly and nutritionist) in 2018. In the next phase, service designs were further developed by students. The service ideas and designs are categorized and analyzed qualitatively. Results Together 443 new service ideas were produced, and 56 preliminary service designs. The student group produced 77 service designs. The categories of ideas are: choosing possibilities, developing meal quality, guiding and education, technological possibilities, eating together, support, and old services. The service designs were classified the following groups: home delivered food, service supports eating at home, technological solutions, eating together. Discussion Many ideas and designs need co-operation with public health people and business. The service ideas and designs need further development, but some are very promising, like personal nutrition trainer, e-learning for elderly care personnel. Better and more variable food and nutrition services can help people live at home longer. The ideas and service designs mirror the public discussion on the time.