‘Engay Food’ meal helps the elderly with dysphagia to regain the pleasure of eating

(1 August 2019, Hong Kong) Due to ageing or illnesses such as stroke or dementia, dysphagia (swallowing difficulty) can be commonly found amongst the elderly. The difficulties in chewing limits their daily diets to pureed food, leading to poor appetite and lowering nutrition intake in the long-term. In view of this, Po Leung Kuk rolled out the ‘Engay Food’ meal for the Elderly at its Homes, which reshapes the unappealing porridge or puree into intriguing gourmet, in order to reignite elders’ interest in eating. A research project on ‘Engay Food’ meal, collaborating with the Swallowing Research Laboratory of the University of Hong Kong, has been carried out to explore for the most suitable texture of the dishes before serving the elderly with dysphagia.

Among the 14 Po Leung Kuk Homes for the Elderly, 30% of the senior residents are suffering from swallowing or chewing problems and are required to consume porridge or puree for their diets. Po Leung Kuk has started the ‘Engay Food’ meal at its Homes for the Elderly since 2014. The dishes were initially added with potato starch or rice paste to create shapes that mimic their original forms. The food quality was later enhanced by replacing the above gelling agents into a special food thickener imported from Japan, resulting in menus with exquisite flavor, texture, nutritions values and inviting appearance for own senior residents.

Mrs Sarah CHOY, Principal Social Services Secretary (Elderly and Rehabilitation Services) of Po Leung Kuk, stated that the ‘Engay Food’ meal received positive response from the elderly with dysphagia, “Instead of pushing the dish away as in the past, they now spoon-feed the food themselves spontaneously. The meal enables the elderly to obtain sufficient nourishment and some of them have gradually gained weight after eating these soft foods.” She indicated that the Po Leung Kuk Elderly Services has set up a research team to speech therapists, dietitians, nurses and chefs etc., including collaborate with the Swallowing Research Laboratory of the University of Hong Kong, on the research in experimenting the most suitable texture of the ‘Engay Food’ for the elderly with dysphagia.

Ms Irene LEE, Senior Speech Therapist of Po Leung Kuk, also pointed out that since the ‘Engay Food’ meal is targeting for the elderly with dysphagia, it is important that the modified food should be in appropriate consistency and texture. Therapists will assess every item by daily eating utensils, to ensure the safety standard is in line with the ‘International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI)’ framework.

To encourage more unique creations for the ‘Engay Food’ menu, Po Leung Kuk has organised the ‘Engay Food Meal Chef Sharing Day’ for the chefs of the Homes of the Elderly to present a range of specially designed ‘Engay Food’ dishes for the tasting of various guests including Mr Casper TSUI, JP, Under Secretary for Labour and Welfare; Ms Susan TSE, Artist; Members of Po Leung Kuk Board of Directors, Advisors and former Chairmen of Po Leung Kuk; Mrs Sarah CHOY, Principal Social Services Secretary (Elderly and Rehabilitation Services) of Po Leung Kuk, and the elderly participants. The dishes were rated highly and were recommended to compete for the ‘Best Food Presentation Award’, ‘The Most Creative Award’, ‘The Most Astonishing Award’, ‘The Most Favorite Dish Award’ etc.

－End－

About Po Leung Kuk

Founded in 1878, Po Leung Kuk, as one of the largest charity organisations in Hong Kong, has been serving Hong Kong for 141 years with its objective of “Protecting the Young and the Innocent”(保赤安良). Currently, the Kuk has more than 300 units strategically located in Hong Kong and provides services in education, social welfare, recreation, culture and integrated health care. We have more than 45,000 students in our schools and attend to more than 600,000 visits for services a year. For more information about Po Leung Kuk, please go to www.poleungkuk.org.hk.

Media Enquiry

Ms Queenie Ho

Assistant Manager (Corporate Communications)

Corporate Communications and Public Relations Department

Tel: 2277 8331 Email: [email protected]