Organisers of the UK annual promotional event Nutrition and Hydration Week (March 16-20) are celebrating the fact that 32 other countries around the world have committed to join them in championing ways to encourage elderly and ill people to eat and drink enough.
Derek Johnson, international liaison officer for Nutrition & Hydration Week, told the launch yesterday: “A total of 96 different countries have visited our NHWeek website and 32 of those have been in touch to say tell us about the plans they’re making.
“The American Overseas Dietetic Association has embraced it, Brazil signed up last week and we’ve been told of big plans they’ve got in Portugal, Australia and a 500-bed care in home in Budapest, Hungary.
“The biggest involvement, though, is from the Canadian Association of Nutrition Management, which really bought into the idea in 2014 and has followed up in a big way this year.”
Andy Jones, chair of the Hospital Caterers Association (HCA), urged hospitals and care homes to publicise their plans for events during the week.
“There are so many good ideas out there, but we’re not very good at telling each other about what we’re doing. But each one has the potential to help ill people recover and prevent vulnerable people needing to be admitted to hospital.
“I urge you to follow us on Facebook and Twitter, take pictures and videos and afterwards share with us what you’ve done.”
NHWeek aims to draw attention to the need for good nutrition and hydration as an essential part of the care experience in health and social care settings.To find out how to get involved or for more information about events planned for March 16-20, visit: www.nutritionandhydrationweek.co.uk.