Project Brighton: New booklet on healthy eating and malnutrition launched for older people in Brighton & Hove

Jane Lodge, Head of Participation and Voluntary Sector Partnerships, Brighton and Hove Clinical Commissioning Group

A booklet aimed at reducing malnutrition in older people was recently launched by the Brighton and Hove Food Partnership and Age UK Brighton & Hove.

Called ‘Eating well to stay healthy as you age’, the booklet gives lots of helpful information on what to eat to prevent malnutrition as we get older. Malnutrition and nutritional risk are usually defined by low bodyweight, or unintended or sudden weight loss.

Aiming to combine preventative advice with practical tips on eating well, the new 16-page booklet covers how to know if you or someone you care for is in danger of malnutrition with key signs to look out for. The booklet gives advice on buying ready meals, how to eat well when appetite is low and some nutritious snacks and light meals. It also gives details of local support services, lunch clubs and options for home delivery as alternatives to meals on wheels.

Age UK Brighton & Hove carried out research in 2016 commissioned by the local Clinical Commissioning Group on healthy eating and malnutrition as part of their Health Engagement consultation work. This was conducted primarily with people aged 80 and over who may be socially isolated and whose views are traditionally under-represented. One of the key recommendations from this research was to produce an information booklet to raise the level of knowledge amongst older people (and their carers and families) of the conditions and impact of malnutrition.

In addition the Food Partnership’s Age Friendly City Report into Healthy Ageing and Food found there is a general lack of knowledge about nutritional needs of older people, how nutritional requires change as you get older and where to go for advice or information.

One research participant and launch attendee, Bunty Bateman, said “In the past I have read, with sadness, of the death of an older person from malnutrition. Until I was involved with Age UK Brighton & Hove research, commissioned by the CCG, on Healthy Eating & Malnutrition, I had not realised the enormity of the problem, nor that it is on the increase. Now I consider that the public should be made aware of the symptoms of malnutrition. Whilst society is focused on obesity this silent killer takes many lives.”

Malnutrition is often hidden among adults living in the community

Following the research, Age UK Brighton & Hove and the Food Partnership worked together to produce the information booklet, ensuring it is easy to read.
The launch event for the booklet was very successful, with representatives from both founding organisations and from the Clinical Commissioning Group in attendance. The event was held at a local lunch club hosted by The Bevy, a community pub in Brighton.

Jo Lewin, Community Nutritionist,
Brighton & Hove Food Partnership

Jane Lodge, a representative for the Clinical Commissioning Group, spoke passionately at the launch event about the work that had gone into creating the free booklet, and how important it is that older people eat healthily and look after themselves. She quoted the Malnutrition Task Force, stating: “We have that stereotypical view of that little old lady, small, bent up with rings falling off and looking frail – that that’s quite normal – but the reason you are is that you are malnourished.”

Jessica Sumner from Age UK Brighton & Hove spoke at the event. She explained that “this is not just about eating green vegetables, it’s about thinking about nutritional needs for the future”. Jo Lewin from The Food Partnership also spoke at the event, saying “Malnutrition is often hidden among adults living in the community – family and friends might be unware of the signs and how to spot it before the situation gets worse. This is why we have decided to produce this leaflet, as an important preventative tool, for now and in the future.”

Copies of the free booklet are now available to collect from The Food Partnership, who are based in the Brighthelm Centre in central Brighton, or you can read the digital copy at www.youblisher.com/p/1833099-Eating-Well-to-Stay-Healthy-As-You-Age/.

If you have any questions for Age UK Brighton & Hove or the Food Partnership regarding the booklet and the research behind it, please contact Claire from Age UK on ClaireG@ageuk-bh.org.uk or Jo from the Food Partnership on jol@bhfood.org.uk.