29/08/06 - Older people and malnutrition

Age Concern has published Hungry to be heard, a report on malnourishment of older people, particularly within hospitals. The report found that nine out of ten nurses do not always have time to help patients who need assistance with eating. The lack of nursing time and the failure by hospitals to introduce simple safeguards has hit the most vulnerable. It shows that six out of ten older patients are at risk of becoming malnourished or their situation getting worse while in hospital. It is estimated that the toll of malnutrition on health costs in the UK is estimated to exceed £7.3 billion per year – much more than obesity. Malnourished patients stay in hospital for longer, are three times as likely to develop complications during surgery and have a higher mortality rate. (Age Concern - press release) (BBC news item)