UP to 10 per cent of older people ageing at home are malnourished, and a new discussion paper has urged a greater focus on nutrition as home care providers transition to consumer-directed care.
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Alzheimer's Australia NSW chief executive John Watkins, who launched a new discussion paper on the issue in November, said proper nutrition was a basic human right, but was often being overlooked in people with dementia living at home.
He called for more funding and information for community-based aged care workers to help them ensure a balanced diet is not only provided, but eaten.
"Every person with dementia will have difficulty with nutrition at some point," Mr Watkins said.
"That may be either difficulty with eating or in being able to ensure they are getting balanced, nutritious meals on a day-to-day basis.
"This research has found a shockingly low level of awareness and attention given to this issue, and very few appropriate resources available to help prevent malnutrition.
"Because eating is such an everyday occurrence its importance is being overlooked, but if you are living with dementia it's often the everyday things that matter most.
"Poor nutrition can lead to much worse outcomes in people with dementia who may, as a result of malnutrition, enter residential care earlier and require longer and more frequent hospital stays."
The research found that in Australia the prevalence of malnutrition in the community was 10-30 per cent, with people with dementia even more likely to be affected.
"That is a significant proportion of the population, however not only is there a lack of awareness about this as a significant issue, there is a lack of understanding about how policies and services could be improved to support people with dementia living at home to remain well-nourished, particularly in this era of aged care and disability sector reform."
Mr Watkins said service providers had raised concerns about the effects of CDC changes, sometimes leading to reduced care hours and changes in services, on nutrition.
"As the aged care and disability reforms unfold we need to ensure that consumers have access to appropriate meals," he said.
The discussion paper was co-funded by Calvary Community Care and Anglican Retirement Villages and was conducted with the help of Meals on Wheels NSW.
Calvary national community care director Cheryl de Zilwa said community care support workers could play a vital role through simple actions like checking what is in the fridge or pantry and discussing meals.
The discussion paper also recommended action including ensuring people have access to dietitions and nutritionists in the home, providing nutrition screening for people with dementia during hospital discharge and putting supports in place, including a focus on nutrition and hydration in aged care assessment processes and allowing meals delivered by organisations like Meals on Wheels to be received under home care packages.
