AI is helping take care of aged care residents

The aged care sector in Australia is a $23.6 billion industry, entirely focused on taking care of our elderly population. According to recent research, a key challenge is the growing risk of malnutrition among aged care facility residents.

Deloitte and Compass Group Australia, the global food and support services company, joined forces to leverage the power of AI to design a solution. With Compass Group’s MealVision and Deloitte’s expertise in data, cloud and AI, they’ve created a first of its kind, cloud-based offering which monitors how much food gets eaten to identify risks of malnutrition.

A 2021 study by the Royal Commission of Aged Care Quality & Safety identified the risk of malnutrition among aged care residents is at a staggering 68%. This impacts the wellbeing of our elderly, including higher risk of illness, slower recovery time and a decline in overall health.

It means that families who are sending their loved ones to aged care facilities are faced with these risks, despite paying up to $21,000 for care per year. Food waste is also a concern when residents don’t eat the food they are served. Unfortunately, tracking food consumption to uphold quality standards at this scale has historically been widely complex and difficult to achieve.

So how do we tackle this problem?

Compass Group Australia’s MealVision solution utilises the power of Deloitte’s innovative cloud and AI technologies to monitor the food consumption of aged care residents.

Ansh Bordia, Senior Consultant, Deloitte Consulting Data and AI, explains, “MealVision uses a scanning unit and AI-enhanced data to track the aged care residents’ eating habits and alert staff of who may be at a risk of malnutrition – thereby flagging issues before they progress.”

"MealVision is a life-changing solution which applies Deloitte’sspeciality expertise in data, cloud and AI to track food consumption – ensuring that aged care residents maintain a balanced diet and can experience a thriving and fulfilling life."

Nik Babaii Rizvandi, Specialist Director, Deloitte ConsultingStrategy AI and Transfor

"We all know someone living in aged care and it really matters to know they are getting a good quality of life. We were so excited to help solve this food tracking problem and to know the real improvements this will make for those living in aged care."

- James Triggs, Director, Deloitte Consulting Data and AI.

How does MealVision work?

There are two components at the heart of this solution – the MealVision Scanning Unit and the MealVision AI Platform. Deloitte developed the AI Platform and worked closely with AerVision Technologies who developed the hardware for the Scanning unit.

The MealVision Scanning Unit is responsible for gathering data and is equipped with a high-resolution camera, radio frequency identification, and, most importantly, the LiDAR scanner. The unit first detects which resident the plate belongs to using the RFID tag, then scans the plate to identify the food and calculate its volumes.

These figures are then sent to the cloud-based AI Platform which is connected to a Tableau dashboard displaying the results, so consumption can be measured. Lastly, the data is analysed by Compass Group so they can track the food categories and total percentage consumed by aged care residents – helping them discover the most popular menu items, patterns in eating behaviours and identify which residents require adjustments in their meals.

Key benefits

The MealVision solution delivers many benefits which successfully improve the quality of life for the elderly, including:

1. Mitigating the risk of malnutrition

The solution flags consumption-related warnings, so that staff can immediately action the appropriate steps to mitigate risk. These may include enhanced supervision, encouragement at mealtimes and customised meal plans.

2. Assuring families that their loved ones are maintaining a nutritious diet

This solution assures families with the knowledge that their elderly relative is being well taken care of by showcasing detailed diet reports backed by data points.

3. Reducing food wastage

Through analysis of food consumption data, Compass Group staff are able to assist the culinary teams in designing more favourable meal plans, based on the popularity of food items – allowing them to significantly reduce food waste.

These benefits have reinforced Compass Group’s position as a market leader in aged care.

The way forward

MealVision is currently being used in over a dozen aged care facilities, catering to hundreds of elderly residents. James says, “This solution is revolutionising aged care. It is tackling the issue of malnutrition headfirst, while also bringing peace of mind to the residents’ families. MealVision has not only transformed lives, but has created a first-of-its-kind offering in the aged care market for Compass Group.”

This is just the start – as its impact expands, the future of MealVision beyond aged care looks promising!

“What sets this breakthrough innovation apart is not only the cutting-edge technology, but the unique combination with our top-tier nutritional menus and excellent care services. By merging the latest in food consumption measurement technology with our unmatched commitment to providing exceptional care and nutrition, we’ve created a first-in-class solution that puts the health and wellbeing of residents at the forefront.”

Lea Cornelius, General Manager Digital & Technology, Compass Group Australia

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