Nutrition and Hydration Week is upon us and plays a key role in raising awareness of the benefits of food and drink in maintaining good health and well-being.
The role that home care providers have in ensuring that people using services maintain good nutrition and hydration is vital. Age UK reports that over 10% of people over the age of 65 are either affected by malnutrition or are at risk of malnutrition, this amounts to over one million people. ‘Grandad’s story‘ gives an insight into how quickly vulnerable people can deteriorate when nutrition and hydration is compromised.
Good levels of nutrition and hydration can help to, improve cognition, give people more energy, help with mobility, regulate bladder and bowel movements, help the body to absorb nutrients, support better skin health, decrease joint pain and aid recovery from illness and injury.
It’s important that providers work proactively to maintain good levels of food and hydration for people using services. He’s some tips to address worries around a service user not eating and drinking well:
- Sign post or refer to the appropriate health care professional if extra support is required
- Encourage eating little and often, regular snacks and encourage fortified food and drinks
- Discuss importance and benefits of good nutrition and hydration
- Support informed choices
- Support meal planning in advance
- Support with shopping
- Support with cooking
- Support with eating
At CareLineLive you can use our assessment and observation features to support with nutrition and hydration.
