2023-10-27 12:13:20
France has two million undernourished people, around 30% of whom are residents of nursing homes. kasto / stock.adobe.com
The magazine points out the lack of flavor in the meals served and the portions often reduced for the sake of profitability. Negligence likely to seriously harm the health of residents.
More than a year after the book was published The Gravediggers and the excitement caused by the Orpea scandal, has the situation really changed in nursing homes? According to the magazine “60 million consumers», who questioned nearly 250 retirement home residents and their loved ones, the conditions of stay there are still problematic to say the least. When it comes to food, in particular. Pinned down for malnutrition, the Orpea establishments would not be an isolated case. As recalled in the monthly published by the National Consumer Institute (INC), France has two million undernourished people, including around 30% residents in nursing homes.
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“Inedible mush”
Overall, the residents surveyed judge the daily meals “rather balanced», which is corroborated by the dieticians contacted by the magazine’s editorial team. It’s on the flavor side that the problem lies. The responses from residents and their loved ones are “frankly negative» when it comes to appreciating the taste dimension of the dishes offered in nursing homes. Mixed dishes, in particular, are described as “unappetizing”, or even “inedible mush“. A problem when we know that some residences choose to mix all their meals, in order to save time. “It’s quicker to spoon feed several people at the same time than to cut up their meat and wait for them to chew», Explains the monthly. When offered to all residents, including those who do not have swallowing difficulties, mixed meals have a deleterious impact on the appetite and therefore on the health of seniors.
The survey also highlights the discrepancy, sometimes obvious, between the menu indicated and the dishes served. Supporting photos, the monthly mentions “flans reports», «plates without colors», «without the slightest sprig of parsley or chives» to brighten up the content. If the picture is bleak, seniors have no other choice but to be satisfied with it: only a third of respondents would be able to request an alternative meal. On arrival, many of them do not finish “Never» their plates (23%), which exposes them to serious risks of malnutrition. However, as a dietician reminds us, “Contrary to popular belief, aging increases energy needs, due to poorer metabolic performance.».
Read alsoAlert on the health of nursing homes, which are sinking into an unprecedented crisis
Reduced portions
However, many nursing homes continue to reduce their meal trays. Of course, there are official weights for fast food… But the residences are free to design the menus in their own way. “For example, a soup, depending on whether water or milk is added, will not provide the same caloric portion.», Illustrates a doctor. This rationing, sometimes drastic, can be explained by a “deficit budget“. Very often, it is the “search for profitability» which motivates private nursing homes to reduce their catering costs. Public or associative establishments, whose budget “accommodation» is supervised by the departments, they are caught up with the full force of inflation. “When we have 11% inflation on food products and only 1% increase on the accommodation budget in certain departments, this amounts to requiring the manager to save on everything», deplores an association president. Beyond the reduced portions, the monthly also points out the nighttime fasting time imposed on residents, often longer than the maximum threshold recommended for the elderly (12 hours).
To remedy this worrying situation, 60 Million consumers recommends several measures, including monitoring the weight of residents systematically and “medical treatment in the event of persistent weight loss“. The monthly also calls on residences to make an effort to present meals, to offer a greater diversity of dishes as well as an alternative menu. Finally, communities and the State are invited to put their hands in their wallets: “we are asking for an increased contribution from communities and the State to the accommodation budget, currently financed at 40 to 60% by the resident», Claims the editorial staff.
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