Food Train says increased malnutrition risk in older people

Food Train, a charity that supports older people, said that 23 per cent of people aged 65 and over in the regions are at risk of malnourishment and falling ill, which is higher than the national average of 16 per cent.

However, the charity believes that the actual numbers are greater, with 'concerns growing' about undetected and unreported malnourishment among older people and the impact that has on their health.

Food Train works to tackle malnutrition and loneliness among older people by making sure they have access to the food they need to eat well and live well in their own homes.

Food Train's delivery vans drop off groceries to its 190 members (Image: Food Train) Food Train chief executive Rosie McLuskie said: "The fact that 23 per cent of older people across Stirling and Clackmannanshire are at risk of malnutrition is extremely worrying.

"But the even more concerning reality is that this number is likely to be just the tip of the iceberg.

"The people we have screened are those who have accessed a service run by us, or one of our partners.

"What about the people who aren’t using services like ours and are slipping through the net?

"Malnourishment among older people is a hidden problem, which has a serious impact on people’s health.

"For their sake, we need to redouble efforts to get an accurate picture of the scale of those at risk - and those who are actually malnourished and need immediate help."

Margaret Neill, 70, of Stirling, has been a Food Train member since 2014, with volunteers delivering groceries to her home weekly.

She said: "I’m not able to go shopping on my own any more.

"I don’t know what I’d do without Food Train.

"They’re wonderful people.

"I’ve nothing but praise for them."

Early intervention is recognised as a key way to stop those in danger of becoming malnourished.

To heighten awareness and encourage action, Food Train is this week writing to all local MSPs calling for mandatory malnutrition screening by all agencies supporting older people and for the right to food to be embedded in Scots law.

Food Train are also asking for increased investment in community initiatives tackling isolation and increasing opportunities for older people to eat, and the Scottish Government to appoint an Older People’s Minister to help tackle this and other issues affecting the over-65s.

Food Train has long argued that increased investment in screening and preventative community services such as theirs would ease the financial strain on NHS and social care services by reducing the number of older people who become ill due to malnutrition or loneliness.

Ms McLuskie added: "The risk of malnutrition among older people is rising.

"We work with lots of people who can’t leave their homes and don’t have proper access to food.

"Yet we don’t see that factored into their health and social care needs.

"It’s often wrongly assumed that people have access to food.

"There’s lots of talk about food poverty but not access to food.

"Making sure that people have access to food is so important and needs to be addressed in public policy."

To find out about how Food Train could help you or someone you know, email shopping@thefoodtrain.co.uk or call 0800 3047924.