2023-09-20 04:48:00
A plate of mussels containing barely 14 molluscs, toast accompanied by a few grams of pâté or a meager slice of ham, ground and bland dishes or a 50 gram piece of meat that tugs the face a little, the daily taste of Fabienne’s dad, 94 years old, resident of a luxury rest home, doesn’t really appeal.
“My dad often complains regarding not having enough food on his plate and having to ask for more at the end of the meal. He says we serve the same dishes all the time. He pays 3,000 euros per month! For this amount, we would expect residents to be entitled to better,” she laments.
To remedy an unsatisfactory and insufficient diet, Fabienne regularly enters the doors of the home with food. “I bring him cold meats, young cheese and small sandwiches to prevent him from being hungry. Considering what we pay, I don’t find that normal!”
Fabienne also deplores the organization of meals, which further worsens their quality. “There are not enough staff so sometimes meals are served cold,” she complains.
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Despite several arrests, the daughter of the nonagenarian indicates that she has not received a satisfactory reaction from the residence.
“When I question the management, I am told that my father must ask for a bigger plate if he is hungry. But I’m not sure it’s really respected. On the other hand, what is true is that my father is a good eater compared to others.”
Fabienne’s story does not seem to be an exception. According to Cécile Lemaire, lawyer at the non-profit organization Senoah (formerly Infor Homes Wallonie), food is one of the regular reasons for complaints and questions from residents of rest homes. ‘I get complaints like: Is it normal for my husband or father to only get two pieces of fruit a week?’ or comments on the lack of variety in the dishes. For residents, meals are important moments. The problem is that there aren’t enough people to distribute them. Sometimes they are served cold and under stress,” she explains.
“Factually, we cannot say that it is bad everywhere. But it is true that in nursing homes, we tend to approach food from a health point of view only, that is to say we will monitor the sugar and salt levels, mix the food . But do you really want to eat bland food every day and at every meal,” summarizes Stéphane Adam, professor at ULiège specializing in the psychology of senescence and aging.
“Elderly people die of malnutrition in Belgium”
“Yes, elderly people die of malnutrition in Belgium. Usually my students are surprised when I tell them this but it’s a reality!” Pascale Carette, head of the geriatrics department at Saint-Luc university faculties, sees undernourished seniors every week. On average, 60% of patients seen in geriatrics by the specialist are malnourished or at risk of being so.
“It is estimated that 15% of people over 75 who live at home suffer from malnutrition. Among residents of rest homes and rest and care homes, this proportion is higher,” she indicates.
The causes of this malnutrition are multiple. They sometimes relate to the conditions in which meals are administered.
“In nursing homes, food is not always chosen by residents, which reduces their enjoyment of meal times. Additionally, most nursing home residents need help eating. However, institutions often lack staff. Supervision standards are generally insufficient. There are nursing homes which innovate and invite managers to team meetings but this is not widespread.”
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The specialist also denounces preconceived ideas regarding food.
“I see a lot of patients who lose weight insidiously and don’t worry regarding it because they consider it normal. The problem is that when they lose weight, the first thing they lose is muscle. And less muscle means less strength and more fatigue,” she emphasizes.
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Consequences ? Elderly people suffering from malnutrition are more likely to have falls, experience mobility problems and contract various pathologies.
“From the age of 70/75, you absolutely have to change your mind. Seniors need to stop eating lean. They absolutely must consume animal products, dairy products, etc. If they consume less than 1,500 kilocalories per day, they will automatically suffer from deficiencies.”, chants the specialist “Sometimes you have to be creative. Three big meals are not always easy to eat. We can think regarding dividing it into several small meals, for example,” she recommends.
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