Eating and Drinking At Home

It is estimated that one in ten older people are at risk of malnutrition, the majority of whom are living at home in the community. It is therefore important to be aware of and to lookout for signs of malnutrition; the most common signs are a loss of appetite and unplanned weight loss.

If you are worried that you or someone you care for may be at risk you can use BAPEN’s simple ‘self-screening’ tool to help you assess this risk. The tool also provides some advice about what you need to do next depending on your risk level.

If you are at risk of malnutrition or feel you have gone off your food and have lost some weight recently the NHS GGC Eating to Feel Better leaflet contains easy ideas to help you to start to improve your food and drink intake, including:

• Advice on easier eating patterns
• How to add extra nourishment to small meals and snacks
• Nourishing drinks recipes, and details of ready-made nourishing drinks that you can buy

You can also find further information on malnutrition and advice about improving your food intake at NHS Inform, including links to the British Dietetic Association’s malnutrition Food Facts leaflet

If eating and drinking problems do not improve or you have any additional concerns, contact your GP or other health care professional.

Useful links:

Eating to Feel Better Leaflet

BDA: Food Facts

National Guidelines to Food, Fluid and Nutrition Standards

BAPEN Self Screening

Carers UK - Information for those with Poor Appetites