Older People s Food Matters: The Leeds approach to tackling malnutrition in older people

Older People s Food Matters: The Leeds approach to tackling malnutrition in older people

Aims and Objectives To introduce the Leeds approach to tackling malnutrition To provide an overview of the development and implementation of Leeds Older People Food Action Plan, including work projects To share successes and challenges To share the groups next steps and plans moving forward

Background According to the BAPEN it can be predicted that 11% of the over 65 population are malnourished. There are 121,700 over 65s in Leeds, therefore approx. 13,387. Local policy silos (food/older people) Insight that older people s nutritional needs were slipping through the net Evidence of large local spends on supplements and treatment of UTIs Limited understanding amongst staff of local services

Older People and Food Work in Leeds Health and Well-Being Board Leeds will be a healthy and caring city for all ages, where people who are the poorest improve their health the fastest. Priority: An age friendly city where people age well Age Friendly Leeds Partnership Aim: Enabling older people to live healthy and fulfilling lives In development Leeds Food Partnership (guided by Sustainable Food Cities approach) Leeds Older People Food (2010) Aim: Develop a coordinated approach to food work for older people based on needs Objective: Ensure key food messages relevant to older people are promoted

The Older People and Food Group Aim: To develop a coordinated approach to food work for older people based on needs Objectives: Ensure key food messages relevant to older people are promoted Improve access to food and drinks for older people Achieve a consistency of food and drinks provision in settings accessed by older people Ensure food and drinks provision in settings accessed by older people are to a nutritionally balanced standard Build capacity for older people to follow key food and drink messages

Key Achievements Leeds Food Consensus Resource development Delivery of local campaigns and support for national campaigns Thirst for Nutrition Conferences Promotion of the 8 key trigger questions for nutritional care Projects Tea Dance, Hydration Play Food Access - Home Food Baskets and Just Stew Nutrition Champions and other training

Development of a Food Consensus Diverse nutritional needs of older person in community both Nutritionally well Nutritionally vulnerable Seeking to ensure consistent evidence based, person centred, food messages for older people

Leeds Food Consensus Why develop a consensus: Agree key messages for Older People Keep the public nutritional well Act for those who are nutritional vulnerable Ensure consistency of message Raise awareness that nutrition is not just about food Raise awareness that nutrition is part of everyone s business

Consensus in practice

Thirst for Nutrition Conferences Target Audience: Front line workforce (Health, Social and Third Sector) Aim to introduce the Leeds Food Consensus Showcase what effective nutritional care looks like from different perspectives Raise awareness of the importance of effective nutritional care Raise awareness of the variety of support services in the city Develop integration between health and social care staff Engage organisations in the Older People Food Matters Group

Campaigns Dehydration Awareness Week (NACC Award winners 2012) annually June Eat Well because Health Matters - 2013 Nutrition and Hydration Week 2014 onwards Promotional days linked to the Consensus messages: - International day of Older People (October) promotion of Support and Enable message - New Year campaign (January) Be a healthy weight alongside the Eat for Health Message

Resources

Resources cont.

Training Nutrition Champions The aim of Nutrition Champions is to improve nutritional & hydration care in community, social and healthcare settings. The objectives for Nutrition Champions are: To provide staff with the tools to develop and enhance their establishment s practices on nutrition, hydration and eating. To help staff find ways to change the habits & practices where required and further develop good practices. To share practices and ideas, and encourage partnership working. To provide evidence of the practical impact of their role in their workplace. The Nutrition Champions role is to: To embed the principles of the Leeds Food Consensus in the workplace. To improve people s ability to access healthy food and fluids which meet their nutritional requirements and are appropriate for their stage of life.

Projects Home Food Baskets Tea Dance Just Stew Healthy Hydration https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfntcbo8q_w #

Challenges /successes Challenges Complexity of delivering message Profession/older people views Shadow of obesity Measuring impact Contracts Staff capacity Finding the right drivers Successes Securing funding (over the years) Targeting the older person Working with older people Link with other campaigns e.g. National Association of Care Catering/ National Nutrition day/nutrition and Hydration week Interest and passion

Current position New opportunities with Adult Social Care and Public Health merger Re-developed Action Plan until March 2019, following stakeholder engagement events Revised Older People Food Matters group TOR with a better focus on research and development Governance structure reporting directly to Age Friendly Leeds Partnership board and Leeds Food Partnership Development of more food environment focused action Training needs review New Drivers NHS England Commissioning Excellent Nutrition and Hydration 2015 2018 Malnutrition and Hydration Health Needs Assessment

Plans for the future Food Consensus Training Leadership

In Summary: In Leeds our approach encourages friends, family members, service users, patients, customers and staff to: Eat for Health Keep properly hydrated Spot the signs of malnutrition Ask questions Consider who can help

Nutrition is everyone s business When you close the door, do you know where the older person s next meal is coming from? Thank you and Any Questions