About the programme

The Greater Manchester Nutrition and Hydration programme focuses on delivering a community intervention for identifying and addressing malnutrition and dehydration in the 65+ population.

The Pilot Programme has been funded by the GM Health and Social Care Partnership and is to be delivered in 6 areas: Salford, Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale and Stockport.

It will aim to:

  1. Raise awareness across the community
  2. Identify malnutrition and develop standards of nutritional care
  3. Work together with partner organisations
  4. Personalise care, support and treatment
  5. Use the paperweight armband as a way of monitoring malnutrition

Malnourished People:

  • See their GP’s twice as often
  • Have 3 times the number of hospital admissions
  • Stay in hospital more than 3 days longer than those who are well-nourished
  • Have more ill health (co-morbidities)

Overview

14% of the 65+ population is at risk of malnutrition

93% of those at risk of malnutrition are in the community

Dehydration in older adults is associated with falls, hospitalisation and higher health and care costs.

Malnutrition (meaning poor or bad nutrition) can refer to a range of issues, but for many older people it is characterised by low body weight or weight loss, meaning simply that some older people are not eating well enough to maintain their health and wellbeing.

Dehydration is a 1% loss of body mass due to fluid loss.

For more information about the programme contact:
Emma Connolly, Programme Director
Tel: 0161 728 2001