Weight loss alert for elderly

LOSING weight after reaching retirement age is “not normal” and should be a warning of potentially serious health problems, say experts.

A survey for the Malnutrition Task Force found 36 per cent of over-60s thought it was fine to lose weight with age, while 75 per cent never worried about themselves or another older person unintentionally losing weight.

But the task force, made up of experts from health, social care and local government, said losing weight can be a warning sign of malnutrition or another serious condition, such as cancer, dementia or liver disease.

Lesley Carter, head of the group, said: “The risk of becoming undernourished increases significantly as people age and is further complicated by the incorrect assumption within society that losing weight is a normal part of the ageing process, when it fact should actually raise alarm bells.”

Symptoms of malnutrition include tiredness, low energy, dizziness and getting repeated infections.

In 2015-16, 184,528 bed days were accounted for by patients with a primary

or secondary diagnosis of malnutrition – a rise from 65,048 10 years ago.

Many patients were found to be malnourished after being admitted to hospital following a fall or infection.

But 17,166 nights were spent in hospital where malnutrition was the main cause of admission – up from 6,704 a decade ago.

One in 10 people over the age of 65 is thought to be malnourished or at risk of malnutrition, with loneliness and bereavement often fuelling loss of appetite.

Malnourished people are twice as likely as others to visit their GP, ending up in hospital more often, and for longer, researchers said

Ms Carter said: “We wrongly assume that malnutrition and dehydration belong to the past, but the reality is that poor nutrition and hydration are often not recognised by older people, families or healthcare professionals.”

Concern about obesity meant that many people were too slow to worry about unexplained weight loss, she said.