One of the local priority projects in the Dorset Innovation Hub (DIH) work programme, is focused on improving the nutrition support to older people (65+ years), enabling them to “age well”. Malnutrition is one of the most common nutritional challenges for older adults, leading to significant health and social care consequences. Malnutrition risk factors are complex and multidimensional, including influences such as access, skills, finance, culture, functional and cognitive impairment. It is an area of particular importance in Dorset when considering that an estimated 29% of the population in the Dorset Council area are currently 65 years and over. Dorset also has additional accessibility challenges as the geographical area contains a significant proportion of rural communities.
As mentioned above, malnutrition is a complex and complicated issue. However, malnutrition is largely preventable and treatable but remains under-detected, under-treated, under-resourced and an issue which requires a collaborative approach. In addition, malnutrition in ageing people is one of the priorities as identified by DIH partner organisations and NHS Dorset ‘big five’ in the five year forward plan.
The Dorset Innovation Hub team as a priority worked with Dr Andrew Dean (Dorset HealthCare) to establish the Nutrition in Ageing People Steering Group (NSG) to ensure oversight in Dorset. The NSG focuses on key priorities as identified by the DIH and its members and includes representation from healthcare providers (acute and community), the voluntary sector, local authorities, patient and public representatives and emergency services.
Facilitated by members of the Dorset Innovation Hub and the Innovation Unit we ran a development session with key stakeholders that centred on identifying the innovation which would address specified need. Innovations were presented and explored to understand ‘what, why and how’ they can help meet the identified nutrition need in Dorset.
Subsequently approved by the NSG, working with charities, we are coproducing and establishing a collaborative lunch club which replicates the values and principles of the Food Friendly Club in a new centre (area) that has a clearly identified need. We are currently identifying where there is a population ‘need’ using the DiiS (Dorset Intelligence and Insight Service) data and mapping current preventative nutrition services in Dorset.
For further information regarding our nutrition in ageing people workstreams, please email the DIH at dorsetinnovationhub@uhd.nhs.uk
Update at: 27th December 2023
