Preventing Malnutrition

I. Risk of malnutrition

II. Reasons for weight loss and loss of appetite

Physiological changes eg; taste, constipation diarrhoea,
decreased thirst sensation, swallowing difficulties
Early cognitive impairment. This affects planning, making
shopping and cooking difficult. Later cognitive changes impact on
remembering how, when and what to eat
Depression is common, often unrecognised, and is treatable.
Dental problems. People need to be encouraged to seek dental
care earlier rather than later

III. Reducing the risk

Are you on a special diet? If so, talk to your doctor or
dietitian regularly to see if any changes are needed. Many
magazines publish diets. It is not a good idea to put yourself on
these diets unless you ask your doctor first.
Are you eating enough? Try to have three meals a day but if
you prefer to eat smaller amounts of food more often, that is O.K.
Eating a variety of food will help to give your body the nutrients it
needs.
Include fruit, vegetables, bread, cereal, meat, dairy foods. Good
snack choices are scones, pikelets, finger buns, fruit loaf, toast,
cheese on biscuits and milk drinks.
Try to eat fruit and vegetables most days. Fresh, frozen or
tinned are good choices. Fruit juice is fine although you miss out on
fibre.
Are you eating dairy foods? These provide calcium and
other nutrients. Dairy foods include fresh milk, powdered milk, UHT
milk, evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, buttermilk,
cheese, yoghurt, custard and icecream. Full cream, low fat or skim
products are all good. Try for three serves each day. A serve is a cup
of milk or calcium fortified soy milk, or a slice of cheese, or a small
tub of yoghurt, or three scoops of ice cream.
Are you getting enough fluid? Aim for 6-8 cups a day. You
will be pleased to know that this not only means water but also

includes juice, tea, coffee, cordial, soup, jelly and custard but not
alcohol.
Do you drink alcohol? Moderation is the way to go and it is
a good idea to have something to eat if you have a drink.
Chewing and swallowing problems can limit the amount
and type of food you eat. Good dental care, well fitting dentures,
adding sauces and custards to food and changing food texture can
help. Discuss swallowing problems with your doctor.
How many medicines do you take? Check from time to
time to make sure you still need all your medicines and that they
are working together properly. Check with your doctor or pharmacist
before buying "over the counter" medications such as laxatives,
painkillers, cough mixtures and vitamins.
Do you have enough money for food? If not, contact a
welfare service in your area for help.
Being as independent as possible is important. Not
being able to shop, cook or feed yourself can lead to poor eating
habits. Home delivered meals such as Meals on Wheels or even a
delivered pizza may help. Buy pre-prepared foods such as BBQ
chicken, frozen meals etc.
Have you lost or gained 5kg (about one stone) over the
last six months, without wanting to? If so, a check up with your
doctor is a good idea. Your food needs could have changed.
Do you eat alone? If you do, make a special effort not to slip
into the "toast and tea" habit. A community program in your area
may offer you the opportunity to eat with others.

Make every mouthful count

No restrictive diets.
Add extra energy (calories/kilojoules) Oil, margarine, butter,
powdered milk, cheese, avocado, and peanut butter.
Offer small amounts of food and drinks often.
Tea, coffee, salads are filling but low in energy.

Vitamin-mineral supplements
Make up for lack of balanced diet.
Do not provide energy (kilojoules) or help weight gain.
May improve appetite.
Nourishing snacks
Yoghurt, custard, Fruche , rice desserts.
Muffins, scones, pikelets, raisin bread.
Muesli bars, breakfast bars, breakfast cereal at any time!
Dried fruit, nuts, fruit snacks.
Flavoured milk, Milo, ice cream, smoothies
Baked beans, spaghetti, tuna, sardines
Sandwiches, biscuits and cheese, dips
Frozen supermarket meals
Nutritional supplements
Used to help gain weight or as meal replacement.
Most contain vitamins and minerals e.g.Sustagen , Ensure , Fortisip
, Resource Others are additives eg: Promod, Polyjoule,
Polycose, and Calogen.
Can use Milo, malted milk, powdered milk, cream etc instead or in
addition.
IV. Assessment by dietitians

Assess nutritional status

Estimate nutritional needs

Recommend foods which are practical and enjoyable

Advise on supplements

There are few dietitians working in the community

Carers are often in a better position to make well-informed

changes

Refer early for best results!

V. Assistance with meals

Provider
Meals on Wheels

Details
Cost to clients varies from service to service
Ranges between $3.50 and $7.50 per package.

Package is typically a soup/main/dessert/fruit juice.

Payments vary and can be by: Cheque Direct Debit
BPAY Centre Pay Cash
If a client receives a Community Aged Care Package, the
client pays the meal cost and the CACP provider pays full
cost recovery to the service
Visit your local Meals on Wheels Service for further
information and a taste test of the meals.

TLC Catering

www.mealsonwheels.org.au/
Telephone: 02 8219 4200 (7.30am - 4.00pm)
Tender, loving cuisine offer meals that are National Heart
Foundation approved, gluten-free, homemade dinners for
diabetics and others.
http://www.tlc.org.au
clientservices@tlc.org.au
Telephone:

Lite n Easy

Other assistance

1800 801 200

or 02 9713 5355

The Lite n' Easy philosophy is to make healthy eating as

easy as possible with a range of flexible options to suit
your exact needs. There are no joining fees and no
contracts. You simply order your deliveries week to week,
and you can move in and out of defferent meal plans
each week.
www.liteneasy.com.au
Telephone: 13 15 12
Care based meals (eg senior citizens centres)
Food clubs/groups (eg Balmain gourmets)
Community Aged Care Packages (CACPs)

Adapated from Committee on Nutrition for Older Australians (CNOA) Conference