Aged care staff need to counter dangerous food myths: expert

AUDIO: Aged care workers need to educate their clients that the nutritional needs of an ageing body are the same as a younger person, and in fact seniors need greater quantities of protein and some other nutrients.

AUDIO: Aged and community care workers need to educate their clients that the nutritional needs of an ageing body are the same as a younger person, and in fact seniors need greater quantities of protein and some other nutrients.

Ngaire Hobbins
Ngaire Hobbins

Dietitian and author Ngaire Hobbins said the prevailing urban myth that older people did not need to eat as much was prompting many seniors to eat too little, causing themselves serious health problems as a result.

Ms Hobbins told the recent Active Ageing Conference 2015 that even a small amount of weight loss could be dangerous in older people, and community care workers should encourage their clients to eat where possible.

Click below to hear Ms Hobbins tell Natasha Egan that unless seniors supported their muscles, which require a protein reserve, a lot of functions in the body can falter:

The Active Ageing Conference 2015, hosted by Australian Ageing Agenda and Community Care Review, brought together researchers, providers and allied health professionals to discuss the wellness approaches now expected in both home support and home care since 1 July.

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Tags: Active Ageing Conference, active ageing conference 2015, food, malnutrition, ngaire-hobbins, wellness,

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