HSE Launch Healthy Eating for Older People

The HSE (Health Board Executive) in association with Third Age Ireland have launched a new healthy eating guide for older people. According to the HSE 1 in 3 older people are admitted to hospital are at risk of malnutrition. The new campaign hopes to highlight the risk of malnutrition to older people. Eating Well into the Future was launch by Darina Allen in Dr. Steeven's Hospital in Dublin.

The campaign aims to identify nutrional concerns at an early stage, to deliver solutions to address such concerns, deliver easy to digest information and what services are available to older people and how they can access them.

A pilot programme will be delivered in Meath by Third Age in the Summerhill area and by HSE community dieticians in the Midlands.

Dr Joe Clarke, National Clinical Lead, Primary Care, HSE said "malnutrition in the elderly is a major and costly problem for our health service and this programme provides the tools for healthy and enjoyable eating."

Mary Nally, Third Age CEO said "it is particularly relevant at a time when a recent survey (Russell &Elia, 2011) revealed disturbing figures about the level of malnutrition experienced by some vulnerable older people".

Darina Allen said "I have always promoted the choosing of good fresh ingredients when cooking. Eating healthily and well gives enjoyment and wellbeing, helps to avoid many life-style diseases and so adds years to life"