Malnutrition feared among elderly

Fears are being raised that more than half of Canterbury's elderly are at risk of malnutrition, with "significant" under-resourcing preventing them getting help.

A study conducted by Canterbury's Healthy Eating, Healthy Ageing (Heha) project, has found 31 per cent of 152 elderly surveyed are at "high risk" of poor nutrition. Another 23 per cent are "at risk".

Heha co-ordinator and public health dietitian Sally Watson said some of those at high risk were probably already malnourished. If others did not get help they were "highly likely" to become malnourished.

The malnourished elderly were more likely to suffer falls and had compromised immunity, she said.

"People who are not well-nourished are less likely to be able to live independently in their own homes, more likely to be admitted into acute hospitals for longer lengths of stay and more more likely to be in residential care."

The most common risk factors were unintentional weight change, eating alone, perception of own weight and low milk-product intake, she said.

Canterbury was "significantly under-resourced" in community dietitians working on the issue.

"We know there's a problem, but we have got to have the capacity to deal with those identified as being at risk and we currently don't have those resources.

"It's unethical to screen and not do something with these people and unethical not to do something when you know there's a widespread problem."...

>SOURCE The Press Last updated 05:00 04/01/2010