Special Olympics HC-Project: Nutrition is a festivity

Abstract

Special Olympics Belgium organizes during the project period of 3 years the Healthy Community Project ‘Nutrition is a festivity’ that focuses on adapted nutrition for people with severe and multiple disabilities. The main goal during 6 events is to provide healthy, tasteful and adapted meals. All meals will be prepared suitable for people with chewing and swallowing problems (with adapted consistencies). Major attention is given to the presentation of the meals, to enhance their taste and smell experience, two important aspects that define the experience while eating. These festive meals will be offered to 240 residents of 6 locations of a disability care institution, as well to their caregivers, students and family. In addition to this buffet (both warm and cold dishes as well as a dessert buffet), education materials are provided to the caregivers and families to create more awareness on typical nutritional problems in this target group and how to address them. In between the different courses of the buffet, adapted physical activity sessions are offered to the residents. These sessions are specifically designed for this target group on three different levels so that each person can participate in an activity adapted to his/her activity capacity.