The case in summary Skien municipality is experiencing an increase in obese elderly patients in nursing homes. The municipality has therefore decided to cut down on the consumption of sweets such as dessert, juice, biscuits and candies. Nutritionist Cathrine Bogen Heitman believes that comfort does not necessarily mean food and drink with a lot of sugar, fat and calories. The aim is to avoid increasing the risk of type two diabetes and other health problems that result from an unhealthy diet. Some elderly people and the Norwegian Nurses’ Association are skeptical of the measure and believe that it could affect the quality of life and enjoyment of food for the elderly. The summary is made by an AI service from OpenAi. The content is quality assured by news’s journalists before publication. – We keep getting more people who are overweight, and we also have more people who already live here who become obese. That’s what nutritional advisor Cathrine Bogen Heitman says. Nutrition advisor, Cathrine Bogen Heitman is clear that the municipality will not prevent patients from eating dessert or sweets. The aim is to limit the quantities and the frequency. Photo: Tom Ole Buaas / NRKE nutrition advisor, Cathrine Bogen Heitman is clear that the municipality will not prevent patients from eating dessert or sweets. The aim is to limit the quantities and frequency. Photo: Tom Ole Buaas / news Together with Skien municipality, she has developed a new diet plan for the elderly at the nursing homes. The aim of the new plan is to prevent obesity, contribute to better dental health and increase the intake of important nutrients. Only weekend sweets In addition to dessert, the intake of other sweets such as juice, biscuits and sweets must be reduced. – Food and drink that contain lots of sugar, fat and calories, says Heitman. The nutritionist stands inside the warehouse together with the manager of Scheen Matservice, Tore Baksaas. Photo: Tom Ole Buaas / NRKE The nutritionist stands inside the warehouse together with the manager of Scheen Matservice, Tore Baksaas. Photo: Tom Ole Buaas / news Cakes and other sweets are only served at weekends and on special occasions. – We want to avoid contributing to increasing the risk of type two diabetes and other things that come from an unhealthy diet. Heitman is clear that the municipality will not prevent patients from eating dessert or sweets. The aim is to limit the amount and frequency. Should sweets be served in nursing homes? Yes, let the elderly enjoy themselves. No, fruit and smoothies are better for health. Yes, thanks to both. Show result – Strange The issue of obese elderly people is new for the Nurses’ Association. They believe the problem is often the opposite. – An increase in obesity is not something we recognize, malnutrition is a significantly bigger problem among patients in nursing homes, says deputy chairman Kai Øivind Brenden. Kai Øivind Brenden, deputy leader of the Norwegian Nurses Association, believes the problem today is that most people in nursing homes are malnourished. Photo: Sunniva Tønsberg Gaski / SUNNIVA TONSBERG GASKIKai Øivind Brenden, deputy leader of the Norwegian Nurses Association, believes the problem today is that most people in nursing homes are malnourished. Photo: Sunniva Tønsberg Gaski / SUNNIVA TONSBERG GASKI He describes the initiative in Skien as strange, and believes that it is very unlikely to be successful. – We know that elderly patients often struggle with reduced thirst and appetite, and that dessert is often a major element of well-being. – So cutting dessert for everyone seems strange. Heavy working day Malnourished patients must be given tailored meal plans, emphasizes nutrition advisor Heitman in Skien. But the situation at the nursing homes in Skien is reflected in what we see in society at large, she adds. – The weight of the population in Norway is increasing, and we are also experiencing this in our institutions. Sweets and cakes are only intended as weekend treats for the elderly in Skien municipality. Photo: Photo: Gorm Kallestad Gorm Kallestad / SCANPIX Sweets and cakes are only intended as weekend treats for the elderly in Skien municipality. Photo: Photo: Gorm Kallestad Gorm Kallestad / SCANPIX Overweight patients lead to heavier work tasks for the staff. Literally. – It is difficult for employees who have to assist patients in care and such situations. Should be up to the individual – If they are used to having dessert, I think they should be allowed to continue with it, says Inger Aasland. She is one of the elderly that news meets around the dinner table at Midtløkken housing and treatment center in Tønsberg. She travels here weekly to share a meal in good company. – I try to be conscious and think healthy. And I feel that we older people get what is healthy via TV and newspapers. Inger Aasland says that she herself is not too fond of sweets and dessert, but she believes that the choice should be up to each individual. Photo: Fredrik Hansen / NRKInger Aasland says that she herself is not too fond of sweets and dessert, but she believes that the choice should be up to each individual. Photo: Fredrik Hansen / news She receives support from Steinar Støfring and Leif Martin Schjelderup. – If I now want something on a beautiful day, I would like to have it. – If I first end up in a nursing home, I guess I don’t think too long-term in terms of health and such, says Schjeldrup. Steinar Støfring and Leif Martin Schjeldrup say that they both love good food. They do not live in nursing homes and are not affected by dessert cuts. Photo: Fredrik Hansen / news Hi! Do you have any thoughts on the matter, or tips for something else I should look into? Send me an email!
ttn-69
– Constantly bringing in more people who are overweight – news Vestfold and Telemark – Local news, TV and radio
