New project launched to tackle malnutrition in older people

The Malnutrition Task Force has launched the Malnutrition Prevention Project to increase the diagnosis and treatment of malnutrition and improve the care and support for older people.

Three million people in the UK are malnourished or at risk of being malnourished. A million of these are over the age of 65. The cost of malnutrition is estimated to be in the region of billions of pounds a year.

A report by BAPEN (British Association for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition) found 93 per cent are in the community, five per cent are in care homes and two per cent are in hospital.

People with a low body mass index who are underweight, or those who are losing weight without trying, will be targeted by the project.

The scheme, run by the Malnutrition Task Force, an independent group of experts across health, social care and local government, is being piloted in five areas of the country, two of which in Lambeth and Southwark in London and Salford, will begin in January.

Dianne Jeffrey, chairman of the Malnutrition Task Force and of Age UK hopes that by working with hospitals, GP surgeries and care homes “we can tackle this hidden problem and help ensure that older people do not slip through the net”.

People who are malnourished are known to suffer from more ill-health, hospital admissions and have a higher risk of infections. It also takes them longer to recover from surgery.

As part of the project, hospitals, GP practices and care homes will work with community groups to pinpoint those at risk.

Malnutrition can go undiagnosed or untreated due to the myth that a smaller appetite and losing weight is a normal part of ageing.

Liz Evans, chair of the National Nurses Nutrition Group (NNNG) welcomed the project and said: “A report by BAPEN (2011) suggests that a large proportion of the malnutrition present in individuals when admitted to institutions originates in the community setting.

“Whilst healthcare settings have a vital role to play in the detection and prevention of malnutrition, it is fair to say that often when an elderly person is admitted to hospital, they are already weakened by illness which may be exacerbated by the fact they may well be chronically undernourished.

“The time has come for all professionals, carers, organisations , community groups, the public and the media to work together to improve the nutrition of all vulnerable people in our society. The NNNG firmly believes that nurses have a key role to play in this and welcome this important piece of work.”