It’s Malnutrition Week and local Blue Nurses say it’s a silent epidemic that is affecting up to 40% of older people in our community.
Nurses are saying malnutrition is not confined to certain body types and developing nations.
And according to BlueCare dietetic lead Caitlin Fulford, malnutrition is a serious condition that can seriously risk life or limit quality of life in older people.
And we need to start by tackling some common misconceptions.
“The first myth is that malnutrition does not affect those who are overweight or obese, but in fact they may not be getting enough of the right foods which can be very dangerous – this is often overlooked,” Ms Fulford said.
“Whatever someone’s weight they could have hidden deficiencies in certain nutrients which can be tricky to assess.
“Malnutrition causes deficiencies, excesses or imbalances in a person’s intake of energy and/or nutrients and can cause physical decline which stops people being able to do their normal daily activities. It can increase risk of falls, serious disease, illness and even death.
Ms Fulford said another myth that needed to be corrected was that weight loss is a normal part of ageing.
“Seniors actually need to eat more protein, calcium and vitamin D than younger adults,” she said.
“There are many reasons that someone can become at risk of being malnourished without you – or them – realising.”
Causes of malnutrition can range from poor appetite, gastrointestinal issues (nausea, constipation for example) illness, cancer, Chrohn’s disease, mental health issues, certain medications and texture modified diets.
Here’s some ways you can help stop any older people in your life tipping into nutritional deficiency or malnutrition:
- If they’re struggling to eat three meals a day, get them to reduce portion sizes and split it into 6-8 smaller, snack-sized meals.
- Ensure they have lots of nutritious, protein rich snacks available to them
- Dehydration can reduce appetite. Ideally everyone should drink 6-8 cups of water a day, but fluids can also include fruit/vegetable juices, soup, tea, coffee, milk (dairy or plant).
