Charity warns pandemic has led to 1.4m people aged 60+ eating less and at greater risk of being malnourished

Some 1.4m people aged 60+ are eating less and are at greater risk of being malnourished in England since the start of pandemic, prompting Age UK to urge everyone to check their loved ones are eating and drinking enough.

The charity is encouraging people to look out for signs that loved ones maybe be under-nourished, after a poll of older people by the charity, revealed covid lockdowns have left some older people with reduced appetites and are now less able to shop for, prepare and eat enough healthy food.

The charity's concerns are being highlighted at the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Ageing and Older People which meets today (10 March) to discuss malnutrition in the UK.

Check warning signs like 'clothes looking too big'

Caroline Abrahams, Age UK’s charity director, said: “We really are worried about the number of older people who are now reporting they are not eating enough.

“When we are able to see them face to face we should take the chance to look out for warning signs that they may not be getting enough to eat - like rings being loose and slipping off, clothes looking too big, belts needing to be tightened. It is sometimes quite difficult to recognise that an older person may unintentionally be losing weight.”

One family member told Age UK: “When she’s really low she loses interest in the things she used to do for fun. She also struggles to eat and loses her appetite which is quite dangerous for her as she has a slim, delicate frame.” A family carer of a woman in her 80s said: “Dementia has deteriorated considerably in lockdown. We have not been able to visit her in her flat to help with reminders about eating, sort out cupboards and help with meal prep. She has lost weight.”

“Mobility decreased which had an effect on pain and caused her to stop eating”, said another relative.

A quarter of people aged 60+ (3.7million) say that either they or others in their household have been unable to eat healthy food.

Nearly half (49 per cent) of people who already had difficulty going to the shops say the coronavirus pandemic has made it harder.

Two fifths (43 per cent) of older people say they feel less confident going to the shops by themselves than they used to. Before the pandemic 1.3 million older people were already suffering from or at risk of malnutrition in the UK. Covid-19 restrictions dramatically increased the amount of time older people have been isolated from family, friends and carers.

People were left alone and with the anxiety of catching the virus, had restricted access to food shopping and daily support. This resulted in many older people feeling isolated, losing their daily routine has put many more older people at risk of becoming malnourished. Age UK’s charity director added: “Not eating and drinking enough increases the risk of infection and falls and worsens any existing long-term conditions. It also makes it harder for people to recover from an episode of ill health.

"We all need to do everything we can to help our loved ones, friends and neighbours to keep up their nutritional intake - and enjoy it too.”

Top tips for everyone

The charity has come up with some tips for the public. Ask an older friend or relative what they are eating and ask them if you can go through a checklist to see if there is anything you can do help.

Then ask them the questions below:

1. Are you concerned that you may be underweight?

2. Have you lost a lot of weight unintentionally in the past three – six months or have you noticed clothing or rings becoming loose recently?

3. Have you recently found that you have lost your appetite or interest in eating?

4. Are you concerned about how to shop for food, your food budget, and/or your ability to cook meals?

5. Are any eating difficulties because of things like dentures not fitting properly or do you have any difficulty swallowing, chewing or cutting up food?

6. Do you think you are drinking enough, or do you find it difficult to drink?

If a loved one answers 'yes' to any of these questions, go to the Malnutrition Task Force’s website www.malnutritiontaskforce.org.uk which details what to do e.g. if someone is underweight or having difficulty with eating.

You can also talk to the older person about consulting their GP or healthcare professional.

What can older people do if they are worried about their appetite?

• Speak to your GP to rule out other health conditions and they can arrange for referrals to a dietician or speech language therapist, if required.

• If teeth or dentures are a problem, make an appointment with a dentist. If there is difficulty with chewing, try eating soft foods such as scrambled eggs or yoghurt.

• If you can’t face a large meal, try small meals and snacks throughout the day.

• Move to full-fat foods like milk, yoghurt and cheese.

• If you have difficulty opening items, make sure to pick up items that are easy to get into.

• If your eyesight isn’t good, try using a blue coloured plate – this helps people to see what they are eating.

• Try to introduce some routine, for example a regular snack with a favourite TV programme.

• If you need help with shopping, look into online shopping or find out what support local Age UKs can offer.

• If a care worker supports you with meals, talk to them about incorporating these suggestions into your care plan.