Malnutrition in elderly rising and estimates just ‘tip of the iceberg’ – charity

Malnutrition in older people in Scotland is rising and official estimates are just “the tip of the iceberg”, a charity has warned.

Food Train found 22% of the almost 600 over-65s it assessed between March and September this year were at risk of malnutrition.

The charity said that means the number at risk has risen from 19% in the previous six months.

It has issued a call to action for all Scottish political parties to put food security and dignity for older people at the top of their manifesto priorities for next year’s Scottish Parliament election.

Food Train chief executive Rosie McLuskie said: “Our charity has been saying for years that official estimates are simply the tip of the iceberg when it comes to malnutrition among older people. Our latest data is further evidence of that.”

The data has been released as part of Malnutrition Awareness Week which runs between November 17 and 23.

The charity’s volunteers and staff have outlined five “bold but achievable” calls to action.

They include ringfenced funding for community-based food access for older people, enshrining the right to food for older people into Scots law, and launching a national malnutrition prevention and screening programme.

Involving older people in food and health policy design has also been outlined by the charity.

Ms McLuskie added: “To find that growing numbers of older people across Scotland are at risk of becoming malnourished is unacceptable. This cannot continue.

“Scotland’s older population is growing. So too are the challenges they face amid shrinking public services and increasing isolation.

“By committing to our five calls to action in the next Scottish Parliament, political parties can take significant steps towards making a real difference to the lives of older people – allowing organisations such as ours to step up the work.”

In the past six years, Food Train has screened 6,518 people for malnutrition – finding an average of 17% are at risk, which is higher than the official estimate of 10%.

Jen Grant, a dietitian with the charity who leads its malnutrition screening work, said: “Reductions in public services and ongoing cost-of-living pressures are having an impact, along with the fact that our population generally is getting older and frailer.

“When we surveyed our members, 22% told us that they were changing the way that they buy food because of cost. When we screened those people, we found that half of them were at risk of malnutrition.

“Greater preventive and screening measures – such as those provided by Food Train – will help identify those people at risk sooner and allow action to be taken before their health and wellbeing worsens.”

Sheena Walker, 72, of Camelon, Falkirk, said she is housebound which means she cannot get out and about unless someone takes her.

She continued: “Food Train makes a big difference. It’s not just about shopping. It’s also about social contact. It’s just nice having somebody to talk to. It makes a big difference to me.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “No-one should have to compromise on food or other essentials and we are committed to supporting older people, tackling poverty, and reducing levels of malnutrition.

“We are supporting pensioners across Scotland through our Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, investing around £157 million to help approximately 880,000 pensioners stay warm over the coldest months. Payments have now commenced and will continue throughout the winter.

“We are also investing £16.9 million this year to support free welfare, income maximisation and debt advice services including support for the Citizens Advice Scotland Money Talk Team Service, which last year supported over 12,500 older people.

“The Scottish Government will continue to do everything it can to support households with their energy bills and to tackle fuel poverty, however the powers to make a real difference remain with the UK Government and we have urged them to introduce a social tariff which would provide further protection to energy consumers in the greatest need.”