This year’s UK Malnutrition Awareness Week, which runs from 11 to 17 October, sees a spotlight being shone once again on the fundamental need for older people in care to get the nutrients and hydration they require to live a healthy and happy life. But while awareness weeks like these are crucial to providing a greater understanding of the dangers, risk factors and signs of malnutrition and dehydration in social care, they should be at the forefront of care practices year-round.
According to the British Association for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, malnutrition is a significant public health problem that affects over 10 per cent of people over the age of 65 – roughly 1.3 million people. The BAPEN also suggests that around 35 per cent of care home residents are at risk of malnutrition.
Age UK defines malnutrition and nutritional risks as being low bodyweight, unintended weight loss, or poor recent nutritional intake. Older people are more at risk due...