Malnutrition and dehydration in dementia affects 30% of those living in care homes and 70% of older people in hospital

Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) said “malnutrition affects up to 10 per cent of older people living at home, 30 per cent of those living in care homes and 70 per cent of older people in hospital,” reported in an article in the Telegraph.

Research studied for the international report found that half of care homes residents were not eating enough food, while almost as many had low fluid intake.

“Consequences include frailty, reduced mobility, skin fragility, an increased risk of falls and fractures, exacerbation of health conditions and increased mortality,” it said.

Illness could impact on a person’s appetite, including side-effects from certain drugs, but more needs to be done to tackle the issue, the report went on.

George McNamara, head of policy at the Alzheimer’s Society, said: “It is scandalous that hundreds of thousands of people living with dementia in the UK have been let down when it comes to something as basic as food and drink.

“It is vital to get the fundamentals of care right, and we need a wake-up call across our health and social care system.

“Malnutrition can be avoided by healthcare professionals doing simple things such as monitoring weight and nutrition.”

In my experience if an elderly person has an excellent nutritional and fluid intake, their quality of life improves.

The benefits of healthy eating include improved mental awareness, resistance to illness and disease, higher energy levels, a more robust immune system, faster recuperation times and better management of chronic illness.

Apart from the obvious benefits physically, food for many elderly is one of the few pleasures they can still enjoy.

Assessment

It is vitally important that Nurses and Carers complete a detailed nutritional assessment and dehydration risk assessment.

Both must be reviewed at least on a monthly basis and more regularly as the resident needs change.

Click here to buy the Dehydration Risk Assessment.

Nursing Care Plan

A detailed Nursing Care Plan should be prepared for nutrition and dehydration detailing exactly what the resident’s issues are and what the agreed plan is to address the issues and improve nutritional and fluid intake.

It is vitally important that all elderly people receive excellent care and the basic requirements for food and fluids must be given priority in care homes and hospitals.

Click here to read the full article in the Telegraph

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