Canadian Malnutrition Awareness Week: Stronger Together

This year’s Canadian Malnutrition Week theme is “Stronger Together”. Let’s work together to identify and fight nutrition risk!

Nutrition risk, or a risk of malnutrition, is an imbalance between what our body needs nutritionally, and what we are consuming. Approximately a third of Canadian adults 65 and older who are living in the community (not in a hospital or assisted living) are at nutrition risk.

Nutrition risk rarely happens on its own. For example, someone who has more difficulty with mobility or transportation to shop for food, or who has dental issues that make it difficult to chew, or a person who has an injury that means that they need more nutrition to heal, are all at higher risk of malnutrition.

The following factors may increase risk of malnutrition:

-          A medical condition, such as an illness or injury, resulting in the need for increased nutritional requirements

-          Poor appetite or a loss of taste or smell

-          Difficulty chewing and swallowing

-          Cognitive impairment

-          Medications, as some can reduce appetite

-          Mobility limitations that make it difficult to shop or prepare meals

-          Social isolation or depression, which can reduce the desire to eat

-          Low or fixed income can make it difficult for a person to afford the amount and type of food that they like

Nutritional risk may not look the same for all people. A person may already be experiencing poor nutrition if they experience any of the following:

-          Unintentional weight loss (losing weight without trying to)

-          Poor appetite

-          Weakness and fatigue

-          Feeling cold frequently

-          Low mood or depression

-          Increased length and frequency of infectious illnesses

If you are an older adult with concerns about your nutrition or you have concerns about the eating habits of an older adult that you know, try SCREEN-8, a screening tool for risks of malnutrition. This is a method of finding out if the person is at risk for malnourishment and can help a healthcare provider figure out how to help them. You can print it out and take the filled-in form to your healthcare provider.

If you or someone you know would benefit from having quality and nutritious meals delivered to their door, you can reach out to Calgary Meals on Wheels. We provide nutritious and affordable meals and have options for many allergies and special diets. Learn more about our programs here, or call (403) 243-2834 x1012.