Resources for Older People

Cooking for Older People – Recipes for One or Two

Community nurses and hospital staff often work with older people who show signs of malnutrition. There is an increased awareness that factors like the degree of mobility, financial status, depression, oral health and living alone can all impact on an older person's nutritional status.

The Project Dietitians of the Canterbury District Health Board Older Persons' Health Service has produced a recipe book, and a range of pamphlets, to assist older people in preparing easy, nutritious and delicious meals. Bronwyn King has illustrated some of the cookbook recipes on CTV's Healthy Eating-Cooking for Older People 2005 series.

These two programmes have been made into a DVD which is now available with the cookbook. The recipe book DVD and pamphlet series are available from the CDHB Community Information Centre.

• For more information and to order copies see the Cooking For Older People Flyer.

Good Safe Food for Older People

This pamphlet by the New Zealand Nutrition Foundation, NZ Food Safety Authority and Auckland District Health Board gives information about gaining weight in a healthy way for older people who may have lost weight due to illness etc.

• It is available free of charge from your local public health unit resource centre.

Healthy Eating Healthy Aging Leaflet

This colourful A4 leaflet uses a single tiered pyramid to portray the food and nutrition requirements for older New Zealanders. The leaflets include colour photos and large text.

• The leaflet is available from Community and Public Health, Christchurch: www.cph.co.nz – See the Nutrition Resources section.