#UKMAW2023 is confirmed for 6-12 November 2023
Once again, the MTF is partnering with BAPEN to bring you #UKMAW2023 with an exciting week of activities. The MTF has a key focus on older people, while BAPEN has a focus on disease related malnutrition.
The MTF is inviting you to come and join together with MTF and BAPEN for #UKMAW2023 to help raise awareness and tackle preventable and disease related malnutrition and dehydration.
This year it will begin on the 6th of November and run to the 12th, so please add these dates in your diary and keep you eyes peeled for more details about what’s in store soon!
Call for action for #UKMAW2023
Our 'call to action' for #UKMAW2023 is that we must continue to work together to raise awareness of preventable malnutrition, start conversations about malnutrition and use tools to identify people at risk more quickly. We all need to look out for local people in our community, neighbours, friends, carers, and family members, all of whom may be at risk.
Equally important, will be to identify older people who are struggling, who seem vulnerable, or isolated, those who have health problems or are struggling with activities of daily living and those who are finding it difficult to plan, shop, cook or access food.
#UKMAW2023 posters – once again, we have a range of supporting posters for download and other resources that can be ordered for free.
Our plan for #UKMAW2023 week
Monday kick off - 6th November
- Learning Event - share your learning by presenting at the event - the full programme can be found here...
- Kick-Off BAPEN's MAG National Screening Survey – calling all professionals to take part - the Screening Survey portal link will be shared in due course.
- Nominate your nutrition superheroes for sharing on social media at the weekend here.
Interactive Tuesday: tell us and show us on social media #UKMAW2023 - 7th November and All Week
- What you are doing, your challenges, your solutions, your innovations.
- Download the selfie card here post on social media #UKMAW2023
Access to good nutrition Wednesday - 8th November
- Showcase Meals on Wheels services
- Helpful supermarkets
- Community projects
- Home delivery food
- Hospitals and care homes
Thirsty Thursday: Making sure that hydration is a priority - 9th November
- Share your innovative ideas to get people drinking.
- 10th November, Robust and resilient Friday – keeping well, Eatwell, get ready for winter, be vaccine ready.
- 11/12 November, Weekend social media focus
- Celebrate the Nutrition Superheroes – all weekend.
Robust and resilient Friday - 10th November
- Keeping well, Eatwell,
- Get ready for winter,
- Be ready for this year’s vaccines, click here for flu vaccine information and click here for Covid vaccine information.
Social Media Weekend - 11/12 November
- At the weekend, we focus on social media
- And all weekend, we celebrate the Nutrition Superheroes
Practical tips for #UKMAW23 on how to start conversations with older people using 'Ask, Look, Listen'
#UKMAW2023 will again provide practical tips and ideas about tackling the challenges around getting enough food and drink for older people with the help they need to be able to eat it.
Ask |
How is your appetite, has it changed, and are there any difficulties with cutting, chewing or swallowing food? Do you feel you are eating and drinking enough? Have you noticed any unplanned weight loss? do you have any new or long-term concerns about your abilities to shop, prepare and cook food. Do you have worries about your finances? |
Look |
Look – Look carefully to assess how well the older person is doing. Always be on the lookout for tell-tale signs of unplanned weight loss such as looser clothing, loose belts or rings or dentures. What is their ability in climbing stairs or walking short distances outside and other activities of daily living. Have they undertaken a new caring role or have they been caring for some time. Keep your eyes open for other signs. Are there difficulties with mobility, have the local shops closed, is there access to public transport to get to the shops? Can they actually do their shopping. Are there empty fridges and store cupboards? Do they have a functioning fridge, freezer, cooker, hob, microwave? |
Listen |
Listen carefully to what older people are telling you. It may not be directly about eating and drinking, it could be about loss, feeling lonely and low, about losing interest and the lack of energy to take part in things that usually give pleasure. |
If you are interested in contributing or taking part in #UKMAW23 then please email Lesley Carter.
UKMAW was co-founded in 2018, by Malnutrition Task Force (MTF) and BAPEN to raise awareness and understanding of the risks of malnutrition across different sectors and settings, in local communities and with the general public and health and social care professionals. We are delighted that the campaign continues to go from strength-to-strength since its launch in 2018.