In October, we raised awareness for the Malnutrition Task Force by challenging our clients and carers to create some fantastic culinary creations in their clients’ homes.
Our carers highlighted that nutritious food doesn’t need to be bland and boring. They worked hard to create dishes which ensured that they met with the dietary needs of our lovely clients and made them fun, fresh and delicious!
Both the client and the carer won a prize, after we took to Facebook to vote for our favourite meals and winners were announced!
We created four different photo competition categories: ‘Simple & Tasty’, ‘Most Nutritious Meal’, ‘Restaurant at Home’ and the one that by looking at it made us instantly ready for our tea: ‘Most Comforting Comfort Food’. Don’t they look amazing?
How can we make sure that our elderly relatives and friends eat well at home?
It is important for us to be aware that the older members of our community can be more susceptible to preventable malnutrition. This can be caused when they become less physically mobile, experience the loss of a loved one, or particularly prevalent in recent Covid climate – they feel worried about leaving the house and mixing with other people.
The Malnutrition Task Force recommend that we ‘Ask, Look and Listen’ for signs of preventable malnutrition in the older people who we love or care for:
- Ask about appetite – are there difficulties in shopping or food preparation; do they need help to eat and drink; do they feel they are eating and drinking ok; what about fridges and food cupboards, is there enough food?
- Look for signs of unplanned weight loss, loose clothes and rings, small appetite, or loss of interest in food.
- Listen carefully to what you are being told, it may not always be about eating and drinking directly. Pandemic life has been tough for people and has led to feelings of loneliness and sadness, a lack of interest in life, and worries about well-being. We are asking everyone to do something, start conversations with older people; ask questions, look at who is at risk, listen to the problems they may face and find solutions.
(UK Malnutrition Awareness Week 2021 | Malnutrition Task Force)
Eidyn Care offers companionship services to our clients and this can include meal preparation, shopping and cooking. Find out more about the companionship services that we provide by clicking here.