In the long-term care of older people, evidence-based and individualised nutritional and fluid intake is of great importance for maintaining health and reducing the progressive need for care. However, there is a lack of differentiated findings on culturally and diversity-sensitive nutrition and fluid intake that also correspond to the guidelines and latest findings of nutritional science and the needs of those in need of care.

NUTRI-SENSE is a research project with a duration of 4 years. The project deals with the question of how aspects of cultural diversity and social inequality in the area of nutrition and eating can be efficiently taken into account in long-term care and subsequently lead to the best possible state of health and an increased quality of life for older nursing home residents. The aim of the project is to support the care process with interdisciplinary and user-centred digital tools in order to make long-term care fit for the future.

In order to realise qualified, patient-centred and needs-based care, the care process was introduced, a systematic approach to the organisation of care practice, care knowledge and care. This process should be supported by digital tools. The heterogeneity of older people, particularly with regard to social inequality and health status, is seen as a particular challenge in an ageing society such as Germany. It is to be expected that the number of people with a migrant background in need of care will also increase in the future.

The following research questions are to be investigated in this project:

1. What diverse and culturally sensitive characteristics need to be considered in the nutritional and fluid intake of people in need of care who live in care homes?
2. To what extent can these diversity- and culture-sensitive factors be integrated into the care process so that food and fluid intake is improved?
3. To what extent can digital technologies support diversity- and culture-sensitive nutrition and fluid intake in the care process so that person-centred care is made possible and the care process is supported?

NUTRI-SENSE is a joint project of:

• Prof Dr Martina Hasseler, Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences, School of Public Health, Health and Nursing Sciences
• Prof Dr Michael Feldhaus, University of Oldenburg, Institute of Social Sciences, Life Course and Social Inequality
• Prof Dr Andreas Hein, University of Oldenburg, Department of Health Services Research, Assistance Systems and Medical Technology
• Dr Rebecca Diekmann, OFFIS Institut e.V. Oldenburg, Assistive Technologies for Care and Nursing

Supported with funds from zukunft.niedersachsen, the joint science funding programme of the Lower Saxony Ministry of Science and Culture and the Volkswagen Foundation.