Dental Neglect and Malnutrition Reports

According to a report in The Age today, "many of Victoria's estimated 400,000 elderly are so malnourished they are falling ill and dying in what has been described as an unspoken national scandal. Neglect of the dietary and dental needs of the elderly is occurring in private homes and some of the state's 800 privately run aged-care facilities."

The Age has also run an Editorial on this story criticising both Federal and State Governments for allowing this situation to develop.

The story quotes Melbourne University's Professor Allan McLean, director of the National Ageing Research Institute, who describes the situation as a ''national shame''. He said "the parlous state of the elderly was linked to the near impossibility of obtaining public dental care. More than 650, 000 Australians, many of them elderly, are on waiting lists for public dental work because they cannot afford private dental treatment. Professor McLean says the result is malnutrition. "

The article notes that his view is supported by a recent study from Deakin University's School of Exercise and Nutritional Science. "Associate Professor Caryl Anne Nowson found nursing home residents are routinely undernourished, and fail to meet required standards on most dietary measures. Eighty per cent of the 169 elderly residents surveyed did not get enough calcium, 60 per cent did not get enough energy and 40 per cent failed to get enough protein. Residents were also vitamin D deprived because they were not getting enough sunlight."

"Professor McLean blames ignorance of the nutritional needs of the elderly, who are less active and therefore have a reduced appetite and do not get the nutrients they need. They often also prefer to stay indoors so do not get vital vitamin D from sunlight. Many also face difficulties in getting dentures since the Howard Government axed the national dental program in 1997."

''Dental problems often limit the ability of older people to chew nutritious foods such as fruit and vegetables and nuts, '' the report says.