Malnutrition 'causes deterioration in dementia patients'

A new report shows that malnutrition among people with Alzheimer's disease can cause their condition to deteriorate.

The data from the National Association of Care Catering also found that malnutrition affects one in ten older people in the UK, as they struggle to contend with things such as loss of mobility or loss of a partner.

Reacting to the news, the head of policy and public affairs at the Alzheimer's Society Andrew Chidgey said that a number of medical studies have shown how important a balanced diet is to people living with dementia.

"As well as being distressing for the person and their family, malnutrition and poor care create huge and unnecessary costs for already stretched health and social care systems," he said.

Mr Chidgey went on to suggest that the government must do all it can to ensure that older people have access to healthy foods through the necessary support networks.

According to the Alzheimer's Research Trust, around 820,000 people in the UK are living with dementia.

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