Posted on: 7 November 2023
Balbinder Sembi, Nutrition Support Clinical Lead and Manager has written this piece to mark Malnutrition Awareness Week.
It's UK Malnutrition Awareness Week 6 to 11 November 2023 and the focus this year is to ‘Ask, Look, Listen’ – recognising malnutrition is everyone’s business.
Malnutrition is preventable and it is easier to manage when malnutrition or dehydration is recognised earlier and is the fundamentals for CQC objectives for better Nutrition and Hydration for all. Additionally, working in partnership and collaboratively to ensure better healthcare outcomes for all as Trust initiative. We want everybody in health and multidisciplinary teams to spread the importance of keeping nutritional care at the forefront of minds and for people in the community to look out for family members, friends, neighbours and colleagues.
So, what does ‘Ask, Look and Listen’ mean in practice?
Ask – If you know somebody who may be vulnerable because they have health problems, because they are older or perhaps because they are isolated, don’t be afraid to ask them if they are eating and drinking okay. Don’t be afraid to ask about somebody’s appetite or ability to prepare food and drink, it could make all the difference and help you stop malnutrition in its tracks.
Look – Always be on the lookout for tell-tale signs of unplanned weight loss such as looser clothing, loose belts or rings or dentures. And remember you won’t always see weight loss so keep your eyes open for other signs like empty fridges and cupboards, local shops that have closed, or reluctance to travel or leave home.
Listen – Listen carefully to what somebody is telling you about their life. It may not be about eating and drinking directly, but is it about feeling tired, feeling worried because they are unwell, feeling lonely, or losing interest in things that usually give them enjoyment? Practice active listening and think about how the way somebody is feeling generally may affect how they are able to look after themselves.
Check out our display stands at Featherstone Road Clinic, Acton Health Centre, Mattock Lane Health Centre and Clayponds Rehabilitation Hospital for more information.