Author Archives: Maureen
Malnutrition among older people: A lack of food and thought
There are an estimated 3 million people in the UK suffering from malnutrition but, despite the public health implications, the issue receives very little attention. So how can awareness be raised?
Denis Campbell
The Guardian, Wednesday 29 May 2013
Domestic carers who only visit an old person’s home once a week may not realise the person they look after is not eating enough. Photograph: BSIP/Universal Images Group Editorial
For some people the word “malnutrition” inevitably conjures up mental images of starving children in Africa. But it is also an issue much closer to home, here in the United Kingdom. About 3 million people in the UK are estimated to either suffer from malnourishment or be at risk of becoming underfed. The resulting problems are believed to cost the public sector several billion pounds, for example from avoidable hospital admissions and extra GP visits for treatments of the range of illnesses malnutrition can cause. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) has identified better nutritional care as the sixth-largest potential source of savings in the NHS.
Norfolk: Leonard Chesire Disability’s Cycle Event will raise funds for a great cause
Ride at Norfolk’s Sandringham Estate will provide a family day out and will raise funds for a great cause
A Leonard Chesire Disability’s Cycle Event will be held in June to raise money for Park House in Sandringham – From left, Stephen Booth with EDP Reporter Kate Scotter and Phil Davies. Picture: Matthew Usher
Kate Scotter kate.scotter@archant.co.uk Friday, May 24, 2013
3:37 PM
Cycle Together Sandringham will take place on Sunday, June 23 to raise money for respite hotel Park House Hotel.
Organised by national disability charity Leonard Cheshire Disability, the event will see hundreds of cyclists take to the picturesque roads around north-west Norfolk, taking in recognisable landmarks including Sandringham Estate, Holkham and Houghton Halls and Bircham Windmill.
Dementia Awareness Week: a family carer's message to professionals
Carers should be recognised as advocates and their views integrated into assessments and care packages
Every week or day of the year, it seems, is designated to remind us of some issue or medical condition. The public, and indeed care professionals, could be forgiven for awareness fatigue. So what is particular to dementia that sets it apart from all these other claims on our attention?
Well, firstly the stats. According to the UK Alzheimer’s Society 2013 data, there are now more than 800,000 people in this country with some form of dementia; one in three over 65 will develop it, the incidence increasing with age. There are already 10 million people over 65 in the UK and 3 million over 80. This latter figure is projected to almost double by 2030. Thus everyone is likely to know someone affected, directly or indirectly. As a care professional, even if you are not a specialist, you will probably come into daily contact with at least one person with dementia.
