Bid to beat OAP malnutrition
Nearly a quarter of elderly people are at risk
A PROGRAMME to combat malnutrition in elderly people has been launched by Alicante general hospital.
According to a spokesman for the regional health department, nearly a quarter of people over the age of 65 in the area are at risk of suffering this condition which arises from a diet in which there are either not enough or too many of one or more nutrients.
These deficiencies can lead to health problems.
The spokesman noted that it is a pioneering programme in the region which is being carried out from health centres.
GPs are being advised by the nutrition department at the university hospital.
They in turn will look out for signs that a pensioner may be suffering from malnutrition or is at risk of suffering the condition.
Dietician Ángel Luis Abad explained that each patient over the age of 65 who attends a health centre will be given a nutrition test which allows them to calculate whether the person is at risk of suffering malnutrition.
They will also be trying to raise awareness of how poor diet is linked to illness.
He explained that people who are suffering malnutrition are more vulnerable to infections and respond more slowly to any treatments they may be given.
Dr Abad noted that early diagnosis of the condition is essential to ensure that an elderly person’s health does not suffer.
He added that once the problem has been identified then coordinated treatment can be started.
Signs and symptoms of malnutrition include unintentional weight loss, lack of interest in eating and drinking, feeling tired and weaker, getting ill often and taking a long time to recover from illnesses. Treatments depend on the person’s general health but the first dietary advice, according to the
UK’s NHS, is usually to eat ‘fortified’ foods that are high in calories and protein, snacking between meals and having drinks that contain lots of calories.