Malnutrition can cause people with Alzheimer’s disease to deteriorate

The report was launched by the National Association of Care Catering (NACC) this week. The report, which also found one in 10 older people in the UK are at risk of malnutrition, that malnutrition leads to many older people being forced into care homes and that lack of standard measures means older people face a lottery of services throughout the UK, has been published as part of Community Meals Week (11-17 October 2010).

The NACC and the British Dietetic Association are now calling on the government to support a new Nutrition Standard which will provide guidelines to those providing community meals services.  

Alzheimer's Society comment:

'We all know how important a balanced diet is for maintaining good health. This is especially true for people with dementia. Malnutrition can have a serious impact on the symptoms of dementia and general well-being, potentially resulting in a person needing avoidable hospital admission or residential care earlier.'

'As well as being distressing for the person and their family, malnutrition and poor care create huge and unnecessary costs for already stretched health and social care systems. Supporting people to live well in the community can help relieve this financial burden and hugely improve quality of life. Good nutrition must be at the heart of this care.'

Andrew Chidgey
Head of Policy and Public Affairs
Alzheimer's Society

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Notes to editors:

• One in three people over 65 will die with dementia
• Alzheimer's Society research shows that 750,000 people in the UK have a form of dementia, more than half have Alzheimer's disease. In just 15 years a million people will be living with dementia. This will soar to 1.7 million people by 2051
• Alzheimer's Society champions the rights of people living with dementia and the millions of people who care for them
• Alzheimer's Society works in England, Wales and Northern Ireland
• Alzheimer's Society supports people to live well with dementia today and funds research to find a cure for tomorrow. We rely on voluntary donations to continue our vital work. You can donate now by calling 0845 306 0898 or visiting alzheimers.org.uk
  
• Alzheimer's Society provides a National Dementia Helpline, the number is 0845 300 0336 or visit alzheimers.org.uk