| |
Britain’s elderly are
more likely to die
from being severely
undernourished than
obese, says a new report.
The findings, collated by top public
health nutritionist Dr Lisa Wilson, have
prompted an immediate call for a
campaign targeting the UK’s aging
population.
Experts believe the government’s
healthy eating message is confusing
some older people - many of whom
believe they need to cut down
on essential animal fats vital to
their well-being.
‘The myth of it being natural
to be thin as we age is
persistent and untrue’
Says Dr Wilson: “It is important to
recognise older people as an at risk
group for malnutrition and provide
and deliver messages which are
directly relevant to this group. The
myth of it being natural to be thin
as we age is persistent and untrue.”
This latest report - Personalisation,
Nutrition and the Role of Community
Meals - is the result of a round the
table meeting by a meeting between
14 of the country’s top authorities
on malnutrition in the elderly. It was
prepared by Dr Wilson on behalf of
The International Longevity Centre
- UK (ILC-UK).
Attendees included the NACC (National
Association of Care Catering), BAPEN
(British Association of Parenteral
and Enteral Nutrition), Age UK and
representatives of hospitals and
care homes.
Top of the agenda was how to care
for Britain’s ageing population - the
majority of which are receiving care
and meals in their own home - rather
than in care homes or hospitals.
Dr Wilson adds: “Supporting an older
person to remain independent and
live at home as long as they would
like, is significantly less expensive
than supporting someone to live in a
care home.
“There is a danger in referring to
economic arguments when it comes to
nutrition as it often makes policy makers
opt for the inexpensive choices, but
the reality is that preventing ill health
is cheaper than treating the disease.”
It is well documented that malnutrition
increases hospitalisation, re-admission
and care home referral at a cost of
£13billion a year.
The report concluded a vital part of
caring for folk at home would be via
‘community meals’, formerly called
‘meals on wheels’.
“Home carers and meal delivery staff
are in an ideal position to encourage
older people to eat regularly, to
recognise the signs of malnutrition
and notice changes in appetite
which may be an indicator of other
problems,”says Dr Wilson.
“One of the challenges is that
community meals are perceived as
the same service which existed 15
years ago, providing a poor standard
of food and little choice.”
In conclusion the report calls for the
government to appoint a department
directly responsible for wellbeing
in older people.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
