Rand S, Bertini L, Dargan A, Raats M, Sharp R
International Journal of Care and Caring 2024, 8, 1: 199—205
Available online 4 Dec 2023
Older adults, even in countries with developed welfare systems, are at higher risk of malnutrition and dehydration than younger adults. This is due to complex interrelated risk factors related to older age and later life, which include health conditions, limited mobility and dexterity, cognitive impairment, social isolation, the accessibility of shops, ability to use or navigate transport systems, and limited or fixed household income. Older adults living at home who use social care services (for example, homecare or day centres) are at higher risk of malnutrition due to their care-related needs, which are often related to physical or cognitive impairment. However, by comparison to the study of food and drink in care homes, there is a relative paucity of evidence about older adults living at home.
The authors were funded to conduct research on the food and drink care-related needs and quality of life (QoL) outcomes of older adults living at home and using adult social care services (for example, homecare). The aim of the project was to scope existing knowledge, to determine the extent of the food and drink care-related needs of older adult living at home in England, and to identify avenues for the development of innovations and future research in the area.