Summer Seminar

Malnutrition task force and the importance within the care sector

The Malnutrition Task Force

Independent group of experts across health, social

care and local government, united to address the

problem of preventable malnutrition in older people

Malnutrition Task Force Mission

To ensure the prevention and treatment of preventable malnutrition is embedded in all care and

community support services as well as raising awareness amongst older people and their families

Phase 1: Understanding

Research, workshops, learning examples and case studies

Understanding the issues

Understanding what looks good

Finding out what interventions have already taken place to tackle malnutrition - being clear on what has worked

Poor breathing and cough Poor breathing and cough from loss of muscle from loss of muscle strength strength

Psychology –Psychology – depression & apathy depression & apathy

Poor Immunity and Poor Immunity and infections infections

Decreased Cardiac Decreased Cardiac output output

Hypothermia – decline in Hypothermia – decline in all functionsall functions

Renal function – limited Renal function – limited ability to excrete salt ability to excrete salt and waterand water

Loss of muscle and bone Loss of muscle and bone strength - falls and fracturesstrength - falls and fractures

Impaired gut Impaired gut integrity andintegrity and immunity immunity

Impaired wound Impaired wound healing and healing and susceptibility to pressure susceptibility to pressure ulcersulcers

Liver fatty change, Liver fatty change, functional declinefunctional declinenecrosis, fibrosisnecrosis, fibrosis

Consequences of Malnutrition (within days)

Potential causes of malnutrition in older people

Phase 2: Developing

Guidance

Guides forFood and beverage providers

Hospitals

Care homes

Local communities

Commissioners

Available to download fromwww.malnutritiontaskforce.org.uk

Five principles for best practice

① Raising awareness

② Working together

③ Identifying malnutrition

④ Personalised care, support and treatment

⑤ Monitoring and evaluation

Phase 3 Testing

The Five Pilot Sites

Social Marketing Campaign

Change Management Process

Evaluation by University of Chester

How has the Change Management programme been received by the different participants in Health Communities?

What are the successes with the Change Management programme?

And what are the issues? (i.e. lessons for improving effectiveness)

How successful was the pilot program?

A written evaluation report for each of the five sites

Phase 4 sharing the learning

Follow our progress

Keep in touch . . .

Lesley Carter

Projects and Partnerships Programme Manager

lesley.carter@ageuk.org.uk