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Hungry to be heard: the scandal of malnourished older people in hospital
- Author:
- AGE CONCERN ENGLAND
- Publisher:
- Age Concern England
- Publication year:
- 2006
- Pagination:
- 26p.
- Place of publication:
- London
Six out of 10 older people are at risk of becoming malnourished, or their situation getting worse, in hospital. Up to 14% of older people aged over 65 years in the UK are malnourished. Four out of 10 older people admitted to hospital are malnourished on arrival.Patients over the age of 80 admitted to hospital have a five times higher prevalence of malnutrition than those under the age of 50. Up to 50% of older people in general hospitals have mental health needs. Patients who are malnourished stay in hospital for a longer time, require more medications, and are more likely to suffer from infections. The toll of malnutrition on health and health care costs is estimated to exceed £7.3 billion per year (much more than obesity). Over half of this cost is expended on people aged 65 years and above.