Forum Topic

Malnutrition in the elderly.

Its worrying to think that 1 million old folk in the UK have malnutrition, which is often found amongst the single seniors who can't or don't want to cook a proper meal for themselves. Often, they're lonely too.Wouldn't it be a helpful idea for a group of younger folk organising to host a lunch(say once a week), to which lonely elderly people could attend and have some kindly company and a hearty meal? If the organising group were large enough, each host would only have to provide a meal once every few months each. Its just a thought.

Gerry Tan ● 4483d11 Comments

It is a shame when any of the accessible buildings used for lunches or pop-ins are closed.I think that a lot of what happens is that people suddenly find it too difficult to climb steps to get into a building and consequently stop going.I noticed that this happened at a hotel I know where the U3A met up.  This is such a terrible shame and an indictment on our society.There are too many public buildings which do not have adequate disabled access despite the Disability Act.  Extra facilities were put in place on transport during the Olympics and then some of them were removed as soon as they were over.  We are an aging population...  If you are starting to find a venue difficult to access then you won't be the only one.  Please speak out.

Philippa Bond ● 4481d

Hanwell Neighbourly care are a wonderful group of people.The Friday pop-in (one of four that they run each week) is at my local church and provides friendship and social contact for many people. Well worthy of our support.

Nigel Brooks ● 4483d

Gerry, give Gillian a call . . . .http://www.hanwellncs.org.uk/page4.html

Andy Horridge ● 4483d

I agree about meals on wheels but these can become a bit monotonous.  I keep a copy of the menu here so that I can try and work out what each day's meal is.  The addition of mint sauce/jelly or apple sauce or horseradish sauce makes a lot of difference so we always have those in the fridge.  We have found the menu contains a lot of roast type meals so that when we take our parent out it is always something very different that he would like to eat - eg a full English breakfast.However a one day a week outing for a meal is a good change.  I have always found that the elderly eat more when they are in company.

Philippa Bond ● 4483d

Meals on Wheels do a splendid job, providing a two-course hot meal every day of the year at a modest price. They also ring me if my father doesn't answer the door to them so I can find out why.

Susan Kelly ● 4483d

Mobility is a big problem Gerry.  My house is full of stairs.There is an organisation in Chiswick where different people host a tea.  This must be very useful as an outing for a lot of people and a great way to meet and see other people.  I think a downstairs loo was also considered to be necessary.Roy Rees Williams is the person to contact to find out about it.Lunch clubs are a good idea in that it is good to have a hot nutritious meal.  Age UK often run these with transport.  Sometimes the people who go to these may need help with getting there if there is no transport (and I don't know if the local one runs one with or without transport).

Philippa Bond ● 4483d

You could always contact the local Age UK office Gerry and ask if there is an practical help you can give to help make Christmas more pleasant for someone in need. I used to do voluntary work in Hounslow and I am pretty sure there is a volunteers bureau in Ealing although it may be too late to offer your services for Christmas as I think now they need crb's( although I may be wrong) whereas years ago a couple of references were enough. Sometimes offering your services at an organised Christmas dinner or offering transport to someone who has mobility problems is much appreciated.

Keith Iddon ● 4483d

I dunno Keith, but I can't sit on my self-satisfied butt and do nothing about it - I feel so guilty and selfish.

Gerry Tan ● 4483d

What to do about it Gerry, what to do?

Keith Iddon ● 4483d

Yes Keith, I know about Hobbayne Hanwell and AgeUK in other parts of Ealing and a few churches, but I was thinking of something more local - just can't bear to think of lonliness and malnutrition nearby this Christmas or indeed all times of the year.

Gerry Tan ● 4483d

It is a shame indeed Gerry. Some of the malnutrition cases are not caused by a lack of food but by a lack of vitamins and minerals in the food. These vital ingredients are often massively diminished by the food being processed. The odd ready meal is ok to eat, but home cooked fresh food is far better for retaining essentials.As for lunches being organised,there are already some luncheon clubs, such as the one at the William Hobayne centre in Hanwell and meals on wheels, which are greatly improved, are available.

Keith Iddon ● 4483d