Malnutrition refers to problems relating to an imbalance of protein and or energy and other nutrients in the diet. In more simple terms, when someone is malnourished, they are not getting all of the nutrients that they need in the right amounts for good health.
Approximately 11% of older adults over 65 years in Wales are malnourished and this is likely to almost double in the next 10 – 15 years as our population continues to grow older.
There are many factors that contribute to malnutrition; some of these might include not being able to get to the shops because of mobility problems, difficulties chewing or swallowing food, low or limited income, or being unable to cook due to illness or lack of motivation. Chronic conditions such as arthritis, dementia, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease as well as depression and loneliness can also contribute to a person’s loss of appetite and food intake. Malnutrition can also make a chronic condition worse whereby management of the condition may take longer to heal and treat.
Nutritional problems in people don’t always show up until that person begins to lose weight, feel tired or become increasingly frail. This can lead to a number of consequences such as:
Currently there are malnutrition screening tools being used in hospitals and nursing homes throughout the UK. Although these tools help to screen for people who might be malnourished they do not prevent malnutrition from happening and are only suitable for use by people who have some form of medical training.
There is no easy way for individuals, carers or non health professionals to be confident about the signs and causes of malnutrition and what they should do if they think that a problem is beginning to occur.
As a result of the many problems relating to malnutrition including the rising rate and cost to treat malnutrition in older adults, health and other professionals working across a number of organisations in Wrexham and Flintshire have obtained funds to run a project to help prevent malnutrition in older adults who are independently living in the community. The project is funded for two years via a joint grant from Flintshire Local Health Board (LHB) and the Welsh Assembly Government, with an additional contribution made by Wrexham Health Social Care and Well being (HSCWB).
The project began in March 2009 and will look at developing a tool that can detect and therefore hopefully prevent malnutrition before it occurs. The tool will be piloted in the Flintshire and Wrexham counties. The tool will be suitable for use by everyone in the community – older people themselves, family members or professionals who do not have any health training. In addition to helping to spot the early signs of malnutrition, the tool will also signpost people to the most appropriate source of help or support.
For more information on the project you can contact Tony Burgos, registered Dietitian and project lead on Tony.Burgos@wales.nhs.uk