Malnutrition among seniors more and more often

More and more seniors suffer from deficiency diseases

12/14/2011

Malnutrition is a growing problem for seniors in Germany. As the German employee health insurance (DAK) in Hamburg announced, the number of seniors, who had to be treated clinically with a malnutrition, in the past two years massively increased.

According to the DAK, the number of seniors with malnutrition has risen by 53 percent since 2008. The affected persons were on average seventy years old and overall significantly more women than men suffered from clinical malnutrition, reports the DAK. The health insurance refers in their statements to Germany 17,091 hospital treatments of DAK insured in which malnutrition was accounted for as main or secondary diagnosis.

Malnutrition as main and secondary diagnosis during hospital stays
The DAK figures reflect a significant increase in malnutrition among the elderly. In 2008, there were still 5,918 fewer DAK insured (11,173 cases in total) being treated for malnutrition in the hospital than in 2010. For most of them, a protein deficiency or vitamin deficiency was identified as the cause of the clinical treatment. Often, the initial cause of the hospitalization was a different disease and only on the spot the deficiency disease of the patients was detected. The actual reason for the hospital stay was in such cases, for example, frequent diabetes, a heart failure or a femoral neck fracture, with the treatment of the main disease was often significantly more difficult or delayed by the deficiency disease, according to the DAK.

Probably 21,000 clinic treatments for malnutrition in 2011
Overall, significantly more women suffered from a corresponding deficiency disease than men. But even among the men, a massive increase in malnutrition requiring therapy was observed. The DAK hospital expert Peter Rowohlt stated in the light of current figures that the development „frightening“ and unfortunately continue in 2011. Rowohlt estimates the number of clinic treatments this year „during which a lack of nutrients is diagnosed“ to more than 21,000. The deficiency diseases are not only a risk for patients, but also bring significant additional financial burden for the health insurance. According to the DAK, the diagnosis of malnutrition increases the hospital stay by an average of 3,000 euros. Overall, the DAK expects additional costs in 2011 due to malnutrition in the amount of around 60 million euros. However, most of these costs would be avoidable in the opinion of the experts if they reacted at the first signs of malnutrition.

In case of signs of malnutrition, urgently consult a doctor
Also, the DAK hospital expert Rowohlt pointed out that „Malnutrition no age fate“ which is easy to accept from those affected and their relatives. Seniors the „noticeably much weight“ lose and „significantly less resilient“ are more common than should be urgent „medically examined“, To avoid possible health consequences, explained Rowohlt. The first goal of the subsequent treatment should be to restore the nutrients uptake of those concerned in normal ways. Also, different methods are used to stimulate the appetite of patients with malnutrition. Those affected are recommended to eat high-energy, high-energy foods such as potatoes, vegetables, high-fat milk and dairy products, fruits, whole grains, fish and meat. According to the experts, the chronic lack of appetite felt by many patients can be counteracted by several small snacks, whereby a glass of water or tea should be drunk in parallel. (Fp)

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Picture: Rainer Sturm