New analysis from Age UK reveals that 1.4million older people aged 60+ in England have been eating less since the start of the pandemic and could therefore be at a greater risk of becoming malnourished, while 3.7 million say that either they or others in their household have been unable to eat healthy and nutritious food. Age UK used data from the Understanding Society Covid-19 study and the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing Covid-19 study to find out how older people were coping with buying and eating food during the Covid outbreak.
Before the pandemic it was estimated that 1.3 million older people were already suffering from or at risk of malnutrition in the UK. Covid-19 restrictions instantly and dramatically increased the amount of time older people have been isolated from family, friends and carers. People were left alone and vulnerable, with the anxiety of catching the virus, restricted access to food shopping and a reduction in essential health care and daily support. This resulted in many older people feeling isolated and lonely and losing their daily routine has put many more older people at risk of becoming malnourished.
What do these data show?
The Understanding Society Covid-19 survey asked participants “Thinking about last week, were you or others in your household able to eat healthy and nutritious food?” Of those aged 60 and older, 72% answered “no” and only 28% of older people answered “yes”. In the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing Covid-19 Sub-Study the question asked was “Since the coronavirus outbreak began in February, please say whether you have been doing each of the following less than usual, about the same, or more than usual?” with one of the descriptions “I have been eating”. 10% of people aged 60 & over in England responded “Less than usual”, 74% “About the same” and 16% “More than usual”.
Caroline Abrahams, Age UK’s Charity Director, said: “We really are worried about the number of older people who are now reporting they are not eating enough and it’s vital that we all raise the issue of eating well and getting enough nutrients with our older relatives and friends, sensitively and supportively. If older people become malnourished this can have serious implications for their health. Not eating and drinking enough increases the risk of infection and falls and worsens any existing long-term conditions. It also makes it harder for people to recover from an episode of ill health. We all need to do everything we can to help our loved ones, friends and neighbours to keep up their nutritional intake – and enjoy it too.”
Read more about the analysis on the Age UK website.
Covid 19Health and wellbeing
