Nutrition for elderly : Crossectoral approach for training and coaching
The number of elderly people in the EU is growing rapidly and will increase even more in future (Sobotka et al.,2011). Elderly people are prone to inadequate nutritional status and therefore are at risk to suffer malnutrition (Brownie,2006;De Groot et al.,2005).
The problem of malnutrition has been showed to be multifactorial, so problem-solving strategies require a multidisciplinary, cross-sectoral approach. Lack of knowledge and good training seemed to be the main cause. Employees from different sectors need specialised trainings and education to acquire new skills.
This project it mainly concerns 3 areas:
1) staff in the food industry
2) staff in catering and meal delivery services
3) staff in health care for the elderly
Employees of the food and catering industry need to gain a better understanding on how to develop or adapt food for elderly people. The market for elderly people is still growing. Placing new products for them on the market will strengthen the companies’ position on both national and international markets.
Kitchen staff and other staff working in catering and meal delivery services need to gain a better understanding on the topic. They will also improve their skills and competences relevant to prepare healthy, good+tastefull meals in old people’s homes, hospitals and public kitchens. Knowlege and skills will give them a higher value on labour market and cater to the needs of the labour market.
Early screening and treatment are essential in prevention of malnutrition (www.fightmalnutrition.eu). People working in health care facilities for elderly people need to improve their skills on how to deal with malnourished elderly people. Those skills are highly relevant for labour market.
The project aims at establishing a comprehensive curriculum and learning units for the different types of actors involved in producing and offering nutrition for the elderly and the prevention and treatment of malnutrition. The learning units and the handbook developed will be offed with open educational ressources.