Community meals report focus on malnutrition

The report is from a round table discussion on 'Personalisation, Nutrition and the Role of Community Meals' chaired by Baroness Sally Greengross. Among those taking part were members of the National Association of Care Catering (NACC), WRVS and BAPEN. The report, authored by Dr. Lisa Wilson, looks at the challenges and opportunities for social care and community meals providers in meeting the nutritional needs of older people. There are currently more people in the UK receiving meals in their own home than there are older people in care homes. In 2009, 586,000 people were registered as having local authority funded care services of whom 150,000 were receiving community meals (defined as meals served in the home) and 299,000 were privately purchasing home care, including community meals. Says Dr. Wilson: "Clearly the community meals service has an important role to play in social care. "However, as the government discusses the opportunities for funding social care and increasing numbers of people continue to live independently into older age, how do we ensure we continue to meet the diet and nutrition needs of this group?" You can download a copy of the full report at www.ilcuk.org.uk.