Event to tackle malnutrition in the elderly

Roadshowlookingforideastohelp

Tackling malnutrition in older people is the subject of a roadshow which will visit Stirling next week.

The Eat Well Age Well Roadshow will be at the Sunlite Community Cafe in the Cowane Centre from 11am to 1pm on Monday, August 6.

The nationwide grants scheme is touring Scotland looking for people with ideas on how to combat the problem of malnutrition in older people.

Independent group the Malnutrition Task Force has estimated that one in 10 older people in Scotland is suffering from, or are at risk of malnutrition.

Innovations officer for Eat Well Age Well Gail Hutchison said: “The grants fund is a great opportunity for people to really make a difference to older people in their community.

“Whether you’re a carer who would like training to spot the signs of malnutrition, or you run a café and want to host an event to bring older people together through food.

“Everyone has the opportunity to apply for our grants and ideas, no matter how big or small, will be considered.”

Stirling Foodtrain regional manager Stuart Miller said they run two projects that help provide older adults gain access to food and prevent malnutrition.

He added: “Malnutrition among older people is a multi-faceted problem and we need a range of solutions to tackle it.

“The Eat Well Age Well Roadshow represents a brilliant opportunity to test new ideas and solutions to improve the lives and wellbeing of older people here in Stirling.” Start Up Stirling provides crisis food support throughout Stirlingshire.

Its support services manager Ian Morris said: “We are aware that a number of older people are suffering from food poverty but in many cases are reluctant to access our support.

“We host and support community meals throughout the area and welcome this initiative as a means of providing healthy food to many of our older people.”

The Small Ideas, Big Impact fund is offering grants ranging from £50 to £5000 and is open to groups and individuals who feel they could help test ways to detect, prevent or treat malnutrition.

For more information on applying for a grant visit the Eat Well Age Well website www. eatwellagewell.org.uk