NESTLÉ HEALTH SCIENCE 2015
Aim
To collect user feedback and fluid intakes of residents on a thickening powder for management of dysphagia to support a possible change from their current starch based thickener to Resource® ThickenUp™ Clear in Four Seasons care homes in Northern Ireland.
Method
- 2 week fluid intake chart data collection whilst on current thickener across 2 sites
- Nestlé Health Science deliver Resource® ThickenUp™ Clear training to staff at both sites
- 2 week fluid intake chart data collection whilst on Resource® ThickenUp™ Clear across 2 sites
- Staff/end user questionnaire for both thickening powders
Key Findings
- Resource® ThickenUp™ Clear was scored more favourably by health care staff compared to previous starch based thickener
- Residents consuming Resource® ThickenUp™ Clear may consume up to 14% more fluid per day
- Resource® ThickenUp™ Clear scored top of the scale against 88% of the questions: ease of use, ease of mixing (hot drinks, cold drinks and milk), taste and appearance (most like original drink)
- Positive feedback from health care staff on resident experience of Resource® ThickenUp™ Clear
Preference results
- 8% perceived it was easier to serve from the container to the cup than the starch thickener
- 4% perceived easier to prepare a hot drink than using a starch thickener.
- 37% perceived easier to mix with milk than using a starch thickener
- 22% perceived easier to mix with water and juice than using a starch thickener
- 58% perceived more pleasant taste than a starch thickener
- 35% perceived more pleasant smell than a starch thickener
- 83% perceived appearance to be more like the original drink than a starch thickened drink
Comments from staff questionnaire

Disclosures
- Four Seasons Health Care (“Four Seasons”) has consented to us disclosing their name and using the results of the trial for training with another third party
- Nestlé Health Science provided training to Four Seasons staff before the trial was undertaken
NESTLÉ HEALTH SCIENCE 2015
Aim To collect user feedback and fluid intakes of residents on a thickening powder for management of dysphagia to support a possible change from their current starch based thickener to Resource® ThickenUp™ Clear in Four Seasons care homes in Northern Ireland. Method 2 week fluid intake chart data collection whilst on current thickener across 2 sites Nestlé Health Science deliver...