About the project
In the UK, there are an around 1.3 million undernourished older adults. There are various reasons why some older people are at higher risk of undernourishment; for example, social isolation, health issues, limited mobility or cognitive impairment, accessibility of shops and food outlets, transport and limited household income. Food and drink also have personal, social and cultural importance, and are subject to personal preferences and taste, religious and/or ethical choices.
Some of these aspects of food and drink can also become difficult, alongside maintaining a healthy, nutritious diet and hydration, for some older adults. Community-based social care services, which includes home care, day centres or activities, play a vital role in supporting older people to live independently and well. This includes supporting their needs related to food and drink. However, there are challenges to ensuring older people’s needs are met, for example, the short length of home care visits, underfunding and workforce issues.
Most of the research about older people’s food and drink-related needs focuses on care homes. Less is known about people living at home, who use home care or other community services.
This study, funded by the NIHR School for Social Care Research and led by the University of Kent, explores food and drink needs of older people using homecare. We have: 1) scoped the existing literature to identify what is already known about the food-related needs of older adults living at home using home care services; 2) analysed data from a national survey of people using social care services in England, the Adult Social Care Survey (ASCS), to understand the extent of food and drink-related needs. This survey has collected information from people who use publicly- funded social care services, since 2011. We have analysed the data over the last ten years to establish any trends over time, or between regions.
The idea for the study was developed together with user/carer advisors and the Applied Research Collaboration Kent, Surrey and Sussex (ARC KSS) Homecare Community of Experience. If you would like to know more about the study and related outputs, please visit the project website.
Project timeline: September 2022 to February 2024
Visit the project webpage here >