Malnutrition affects over a million people in the UK, with even more people at risk of malnutrition, the vast majority of whom live in a community setting.1 The majority of those with or at risk of malnutrition are older adults1. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)2 states that many UK health professionals have a poor knowledge of the causes, effects and treatment of malnutrition.2 The NMC Code of Conduct3 requires nurses must ensure the fundamentals of care are correctly delivered. Fundamentals of care include (amongst others) care of nutrition and hydration.3 This article aims to discuss malnutrition in older adults in the community setting including assessment, initial steps to treatment and signpost readers to appropriate guidelines and resources for further information.
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