National Meals on Wheels Week | Country Home Foods

27% of elderly at home are at risk of malnutrition, so local company sets the wheels in motion to support National Meals on Wheels Week
By: Country Home Foods Ltd
 
Oct. 7, 2009 - PRLog -- Industry figures show that a staggering 27 % of the elderly, aged between 65 and 79 living at home, are at significant risk of malnutrition and this figure increases to 34 % for those aged up 80 years.    Country Home Foods, who distribute from Waltham Abbey, across the North London area are backing Meals on Wheels Week (1-7 October 2009) in a bid to raise awareness of malnutrition in the elderly and how the issue can be addressed.

Additional shocking figures estimate that 5% of elderly people who are living in their own homes cannot cook a main meal, one in 12 receives community meals, and one in four receives home help.  

The effects of under nutrition cost the NHS £7.3 billion per year as a result of increased risk of chronic diseases, infection, poorer outcomes, increased length and frequency of hospital stays and additional medical interventions.  

Karl-Eberhard Schneider, Country Home Foods Company Chairman, commented, “Malnutrition in the elderly is a serious issue which we are helping to combat through our flexible complete meal service. With over 25 years in the industry through Eismann UK Limited we pride ourselves on not only providing a wide range of nutritionally balanced meals that meet the needs of our customers, but in thoroughly understanding these requirements.

“Reacting to this obvious need in the elderly we have new food ranges which better meet our clients’ nutritional needs and with home delivery the elderly who struggle with mobility have no worries of getting to the shops”. Karl concluded.

The initiative, National Meals on Wheels Week, is linked to the Government’s Improving Nutritional Care Action Plan and BAPEN’s  ‘Combating Malnutrition Report’.  Both are current reports which emphasise the role of community meals in eliminating malnutrition in the community especially among older people.  It is estimated that by 2050 the numbers of adults aged 65 years and over in the UK will double   so interest in maintaining their health and tackling malnutrition is critical.  

There is particular focus on how many patients enter and leave hospitals in England who are malnourished which means they are significantly more likely to end up back in hospital.  Breaking this vicious circle is a large part of helping the massive NHS burden.

There are many causes of malnutrition, the highest being an inadequate diet.   Other reasons include loneliness, depression, swallowing problems, poor teeth and lack of mobility.  Our bodies also become less efficient at processing foods as we become older which means vital nutrients will not be used in the same way as they would in a younger person.  

Key to the Country Home Foods concept is free delivery of frozen foods which can be more nutritious than some so called ‘fresh’ foods that can spend many days being delivered to shops.  Country Home Foods own Registered Dietitian, Penny Doyle, has helped the team to meet the nutritional needs of their ageing clients by developing specialist ranges. The ranges include ‘lighter bites’ for those with lower appetites.  Other specialist ranges include those to help control diabetes, lower fat intakes, soft diets and there are plans to develop ‘Healthy Bones’ and ‘Higher fibre’ ranges.  

Penny Doyle, who has experience of working with the elderly in care homes and hospitals, is delighted to see these developments as she knows firsthand how community meals are critical for elderly people leaving hospitals.  

She commented, “The new Country Home Foods range caters for traditional tastes including roast meals and winter warmers like cottage pies, and offers an equally nutritious and delicious range of hot and cold desserts.  Research also indicates that offering people a range of food means that they are likely to eat more which will help prevent malnutrition affecting many elderly living at home”.

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Country Home Foods Ltd provide an alternative solution to meals on wheels. Backed by the 25 years knowledge and experience of eismann Ltd, Country Home Foods supplies individual frozen ready meals suitable for quick preparation in the oven or microwave.
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Source:Country Home Foods Ltd
Email:***@aztechsystems.net Email Verified
Zip:MK45 3PD
Tags:Meals On Wheels, Home Delivered Ready Meals, Frozen Ready Meals
Industry:Lifestyle, Family, Food
Location:Bedford - Bedfordshire - England
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Page Updated Last on: Oct 07, 2009



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