FRIDAY, 7 OCTOBER 2022

FOR EMBARGOED RELEASE: 00:01 MONDAY, 10 OCTOBER

Malnutrition Week supports older people

NHS Tayside and Dundee Health and Social Care Partnership have joined forces with older people’s charity, Food Train, to help carers spot the early signs of malnutrition and stop people falling ill.

Malnutrition occurs when a person’s diet does not meet their nutritional needs. This year’s UK Malnutrition Awareness Week runs from 10-16 October and the theme ‘Ask, Look, Listen’ focuses on working together to raise awareness of preventable malnutrition.

Older people are at higher risk of malnutrition than younger people, with older people living at home at an increased risk of becoming malnourished due to a variety of reasons such as decreased sense of taste and smell, restricted mobility, and feelings of loneliness.

Official estimates place one in 10 older people as either at risk of or being malnourished or across Scotland.

The main message in this year’s campaign is that we all need to look out for people in our communities; it could be neighbours, friends, carers, and family members, all of whom may be at risk of developing malnutrition. It is hoped that by starting conversations about food and drink and identifying people who are most at risk of malnutrition, that signs will be spotted among older people sooner.

Members of NHS Tayside’s Nutrition and Dietetic Service and Dundee Health and Social Care Partnership are working in partnership with Food Train to try to ensure that earlier interventions are in place for people at risk of becoming under-nourished who may be struggling to eat and drink well at home or in care home settings.

In support of UK Malnutrition Awareness Week, the innovative collaboration has developed a series of eight short training videos and a workbook covering topics such as what can cause malnutrition, how to spot signs and symptoms and simple practical tips to boost appetite. All training is informal and is supported by multiple care agencies, including the Care Inspectorate.

The online training videos can be accessed at https://www.tfaforms.com/5004445

NHS Tayside’s Dietetic Consultant for Public Health, Dr William Cook, said, “Malnutrition, in terms of under-nutrition, is a significant public health concern. More than 100,000 older people in Scotland are at risk of malnutrition, with the vast majority living in their own home.

“Whilst we know that those who are malnourished are at increased risk of falls, pressure ulcers, infections and have three times the number of hospital admissions, malnutrition often remains undetected and untreated.

“The partnership between NHS Tayside, Dundee Health and Social Care Partnership and Food Train has developed a training resource, featuring a suite of short videos to support care at home organisations in Dundee and beyond to train their staff to raise awareness of malnutrition, how to identify malnutrition and practical tips on supporting older people who may be struggling to eat and drink well at home.

“Addressing malnutrition will support better outcomes and help ensure people remain healthy in older age.”

The charity Food Train supports people across Tayside through its shopping, befriending and meal-making services, and works to help people aged 65 and over to eat well and live well in their own home. The training resources have been created with its Eat Well Age Well project, which works specifically to prevent, detect and treat malnutrition and dehydration.

Jen Grant, Project Dietitian at Food Train Eat Well Age Well, said, “Malnutrition is largely preventable and treatable through early intervention and screening.

“Carers and care organisations have a vital role to play in both identifying those at risk of becoming malnourished and supporting older people living at home.

“Through partnerships like this in Tayside we can increase awareness and improve lives. The advice we are sharing is simple, clear and gives practical advice on how to support older people who may be struggling to eat or drink.

“If everyone working in community settings with older people better understood the signs of malnutrition, we could spot and tackle issues sooner. These videos are an important step towards achieving that goal.”

In Tayside, carers, health and social care staff and members of the public who are looking after an older person are encouraged to contact NHS Tayside’s Get Nourished advice line if they have any concerns about malnutrition and hydration.

Get Nourished can be reached by calling 01738 450556 (Mon 9.30am - 12.30pm, Wed 3 - 6pm, Fri 12.00 - 3pm) or by emailing tay.getnourished@nhs.scot.

Notes to editors:

The charity Food Train Eat Well Age Well works with more than 3,000 older people each year across Scotland, helping them to eat well and live well in their own homes through a range of shopping, meal making, befriending and other support projects. Its shopping delivery branches include those in Dundee and Perth and Kinross.

Older people with concerns about malnutrition - or anyone with concerns about an older person - can also call the charity’s Malnutrition Advice Line on 0800 13 88 220. Advice is also available at www.eatwellagewell.org.uk.

Contact:

Anna Michie

NHS Tayside Communications

01382 424138