We are proudly sharing the video of the ChefMyself workshop! In it, we can see all the participants we invited to celebrate with us the huge success of the project and all the help we got through the different phases of the process of user research, design and development. We registered the moments of joyful conviviality, because the victories taste better when shared.

We hope you enjoy the video! A big thank you!

Last Friday 13, Fraunhofer Portugal held a workshop on Dementia promoted by the User Network COLABORAR.

Researchers at Fraunhofer Portugal AICOS carry out many research activities out in the field, namely in Day Care/Living Centres. On the other hand, Dementia is a condition that affects many older adults, being in fact the main cause of institutionalization amongst seniors. Therefore, we thought it would be useful for researchers to learn a bit more on how to interact with seniors with Dementia.

The psychologist who facilitated the workshop, Dr Ana Costa, has a vast experience in working with people with Dementia. She explained the process of Dementia and the changes that it brings about. Dr. Costa then gave pointers on how to interact with people with Dementia, namely in the context of participatory methods. The workshop, which combined theory and hands-on moments through role-playing, was an opportunity to reflect on the perspective of the patients and also offered many practical tips on how to deal with common difficult situations evolving patients in the context of institutions. Many strategies to promote well-being for seniors affected by this condition were also presented.

We will certainly go out into the field much more confident from now on.

Today, October 16th, is the World Food Day. In order to mark the date and thank the seniors who actively participated in the project ChefMyself, we could think of no better way to do it than gathering with all around pots, pans and casseroles. Thus, ChefMyself organized a healthy cooking workshop at Work – espaço criativo and counted on the collaboration of nutritionist Mariana Bessa, from Nutrir, and chef Luísa Ginoulhiac, from the blog No mundo de Luísa.

We started by talking a little bit about the work we at Fraunhofer have done since our last workshop, in October 2014. We remembered the different stages project ChefMyself went through, in which seniors participated. We highlighted their precious help in it – from the initial interviews to the tests with the tablet devices and the kitchen robot. Afterwards, we had a session with the nutritionist to demystify current beliefs about what to eat. Then we put all the knowledge into practice and, under the supervision of Luísa, got our hands dirty in the preparation of a healthy, easy to make and, we must say, delicious meal. The menu was composed of pumpkin soup, roasted salmon in the oven garnished with vegetable couscous and as dessert, trifle of red fruit and yogurt.

The choices were based on the nutritional value of the ingredients and their seasonality, as season’s vegetables were favoured. There was also a special concern with our guests’ food restrictions.

All prepared the meal while hearing the suggestions and cooking tips of the cook. In the end, we all got to taste the food and each participant took with them a booklet with the recipes, so that they can easily prepare them at home.

This was a good way of commemorating the success of our project and socializing with our friends who helped us a lot throughout the project.