Age UK Salford has urged people to look out for the signs of malnutrition and dehydration during Malnutrition Awareness Week.
The campaign, started by Greater Manchester Nutrition and Hydration, aims to bust widely accepted myths around the norms of growing older.
These include having a reduced appetite, losing weight and being dehydrated.
This week we're supporting Malnutrition Awareness Week #MAW2020 @GMNandH – Malnutrition affects 1 in 10 older adults in the UK and is even more relevant due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. For more info, for friends, family and people you know or care for: https://t.co/igjzfs6JIj pic.twitter.com/u2hXAJsjfV
— Age UK Salford (@AgeUKSalford) October 5, 2020
Age UK Salford said: “In most cases, malnutrition and dehydration are preventable.”
“As we get older, we may find it more difficult to maintain a healthy weight, which can have a big impact on our wellbeing.
“Being aware of the signs to look out for, and thinking about what may be getting in the way of eating and drinking well will help you to stay healthy and independent.”
Age UK Salford is part of the Malnutrition Task Force that is trying to tackle malnutrition in Salford, along with Salford City Council, NHS Salford Clinical Commissioning Group, and Greater Manchester West Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
The group’s aim is to ensure care and community support services across the city are prioritising the prevention and treatment of undernutrition and to raise awareness about the impacts an unhealthy lifestyle can have on older people.
Covid-19 has increased the risk of malnutrition among vulnerable communities and as 33,200 of people living in Salford are 65, the Task Force is keen to get their message out.
For more information on Malnutrition Awareness Week visit the Age UK Salford website here.
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