CONCERNS are growing about the full extent of malnutrition among older people in Dumfries and Galloway.
The Food Train is warning that the current known rates may be just the ‘tip of the iceberg’.
Their screening has found that 13 per cent of over 65s locally are at risk of malnourishment and falling ill as a result.
But the Dumfries-based charity believes the actual numbers are greater, with fears growing about undetected and unreported malnourishment among older people – and the impact that has on their health.
The issue is being flagged up as it’s UK Malnutrition Awareness Week.
Food Train chief executive Rosie McLuskie, above, said: “The fact that 13 per cent of older people across the Dumfries and Galloway are at risk of malnutrition is extremely worrying. But the even more concerning reality is that this number is likely to be just the tip of the iceberg.
“The people we have screened are those who have accessed a service run by us, or one of our partners. What about the people who aren’t using services like ours and are slipping through the net?
“Malnourishment among older people is a hidden problem, which has a serious impact on people’s health. For their sake, we need to redouble efforts to get an accurate picture of the scale of those at risk – and those who are actually malnourished and need immediate help.”
And this week she’s writing to all of the region’s MSPs calling for:
– Mandatory malnutrition screening by all agencies supporting older people
– The right to food to be embedded in Scots law
– Increased investment in community initiatives tackling isolation and increasing opportunities for older people to eat
– The appointment of a Scottish Older People’s Minister to help tackle this
Meanwhile, Jen Grant, a dietitian with Food Train’s Eat Well Age Well project, works with older people to prevent malnourishment.
She said: “People who are malnourished are at increased risk of becoming unwell and malnourishment can exacerbate other health concerns – including becoming frail and suffering falls.”
Food Train works to tackle malnutrition and loneliness among older people by making sure they have access to the food they need to eat well and live well in their own homes.
Its delivery vans are familiar sights on the region’s streets – dropping off groceries to its 620 members locally, with volunteers shopping at supermarkets in Dumfries, Annan, Castle Douglas, Newton Stewart and Stranraer.
The organisation has long argued that increased investment in screening and preventative community services such as theirs would ease the financial strain on NHS and social care services by reducing the number of older people who become ill due to malnutrition or loneliness.
* To find out more about Food Train email [email protected], call 0800 3047924, or go to www.thefoodtrain.co.uk.
