Year: 2012
Type: article
Abstract: In 2006, 11% of Irish people were aged over 65 years and \nit is estimated that by 2050, one in four will be aged over \n65.1,2 While it is true that any age group can become \nmalnourished – due to social circumstances or illness – \nolder people are particularly at risk with a reported 20- \n60% of admissions to gerontology wards in the UK at risk of \nmalnutrition and a staggering 70% of these cases presenting \nundiagnosed at time of admission.3 Malnutrition leads to a host \nof health issues such as weakness, lethargy, reduced mobility, \ndevelopment of pressure sores, increased risk of falls as well \nas an increase in gastrointestinal problems due to reduced \nsecretions and malabsorption. Other consequences include \nincreased risk to infection, delayed wound healing, impaired \nrespiratory function, muscle weakness and depression.
Authors: Deirdre Mulry, Bróna Mooney
Language: English
Subfield: Physiology (medical)
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1649824572