MALNUTRITION Awareness week is in full swing and concerning numbers of older people across Scotland are malnourished.
These figures came from Scottish charity Food Train, who met with South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth to discuss the issue in parliament.
There, it was announced that official figures estimate at least one in 10 older people are suffering from malnutrition, but that the number could be significantly higher than it appears.
Colin Smyth said: “Malnutrition in older people is a serious issue and I’m keen to do all I can to raise awareness, so it was really valuable to be able to meet with Food Train in the Scottish Parliament.
“Every day, the charity supports people in later life across Scotland through their fantastic work.
“Speaking to them also brings into sharp relief the need for a dedicated Older People’s Commissioner, a bill I have been working to move forward.
“It’s not just about standing up for the rights, services and care of older people, it’s about challenging the negative stereotypes of ageing and celebrating the immense positive contribution of those in later life.
“Many of the volunteers at Food Train are older people themselves and we need to highlight the role people in later life play in our communities, which would be an important part of the job for my proposed Commissioner.
“We have an Older People’s Commissioners in Wales and Northern Ireland doing a great job, and a big campaign for one in England. Why should older people in Scotland be any different?
“An Older People’s Commissioner would be the independent voice, championing the rights of older people that was missing during the pandemic.”
