A Wireless Device to Monitor and Track Fluid Consumption in At-Risk Older Adults

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The long term goal of the proposed project by Smart Activities of Daily Living, LLC (Smart ADLs) is to develop a device (the Smart Cup) that will improve the health of older adults by managing nutrition using smart health technology. Malnutrition (under nutrition) is a common geriatric syndrome found in older adults across the care continuum. Older adults accounted for 34 percent of the 39 million hospital discharges in 2010 with 56 percent readmitted within one year. Malnutrition is associated with adverse health outcomes that increase the cost of care, including hospital readmissions and institutionalization. Oral liquid nutrition supplements (ONS) are used to treat malnutrition. However, their effectiveness is limitedby the difficulty in accurately determining individual consumption. The only way to currently measure and document ONS intake is to record the amount (in cc) of liquid provided, and the amount discarded at the end of a treatment period. This is highly