Food for thought: Why nutrition is especially important for the elderly
Older people are particularly vulnerable to malnutrition, which has a serious and far-reaching impact on quality of life. Malnutrition – when the body isn’t receiving enough nutrients to support its functions – is a serious problem in older populations worldwide. Our bodies rely on energy (from macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats) to function […]
Why is hydration important for older people?
In this blog post, our expert dietitian, Kaye Dennison (NZRD) explains why hydration is such an important issue for older people and shares her tips on how to reduce the risk of dehydration. Why do we need hydration? Water is an essential nutrient which the body loses and cannot produce in the amounts it requires. […]
The Skeleton in the community wardrobe
In the beginning In 1974 Charles Butterworth wrote “The Skeleton in the Hospital Closet”, an article referring to the lack of awareness amongst clinicians about the incidence of malnutrition in UK hospitals (1). It’s astounding to realise that over 40 years later there have been no sustainable solutions to recognising nutrition risk in older people […]
Malnutrition screening – essential for detecting nutrition problems at an early stage
Malnutrition in New Zealand is a real problem, especially in the older population. National studies illustrate malnutrition affects 20 to 50 percent of older adults in the health care setting [1-5], and up to 31 percent in the community [6]. It is an issue that is often underrecognized and undertreated [7]. It is associated with […]
Enhancing our meals with food fortification
When you think about malnutrition, heart wrenching images of extremely unhappy looking, thin, bony and famished individuals come to mind. Some years ago, while working as the Chief Dietitian in a hospital in the Sultanate of Oman, I worked with many malnourished children with these exact signs and symptoms. Fortunately the treatment was simple, education […]
