An initiative by Dietitians in the South East has been funded by the HSE’s Spark Innovation Programme to produce short education videos on key nutrition topics for ageing well.
The Spark Innovation Programme is a frontline, staff-led initiative that seeks to support, promote and recognise innovation amongst healthcare staff. The programme grant aids projects within the HSE’s own services and those of voluntary and community services supported with HSE funding through Section 38 and 39 of the Health Act.
The successful proposal made to Spark was from Lorna King, Emma Grant and Aideen McGuinness, three HSE Dietitians registered with CORU (Ireland's multi-profession health regulatory body) and who specialise in the area of nutrition for the older person.
Following on some research, including focus group with older persons and surveys with healthcare professionals, results identified that timely access to information was important for the older person and that health care professionals wanted to have evidence-based practical resources that they could provide.
The project looked at how “first line nutrition information” given in short video format could work in combination with the more standard approach (e.g. information booklets) and improve communication to both older person and health care professionals on key nutrition topics that support healthy ageing.
Lorna, Emma and Aideen say their goal was that these videos would serve as an “initial step” in addressing nutrition concerns of the older person and that this information was not only evidence-based but easily accessible, understandable and practical.
The two videos produced and available to date include “Sarcopenia and Nutrition” (which focuses on nutrition for protecting muscle health) and “Malnutrition and the Older Person” (which focuses on how to spot the signs and practical changes that can be made to the diet to prevent or manage malnutrition). The decision to focus initially on sarcopenia and malnutrition stems from the significant negative effect they can have on the quality of life for the older person, such as increased risk of falls, lower mood, slower recovery, increasing risk of frailty and longer hospital admissions.
Each video is professionally designed, with the thought that they could be used in one-to-one appointments, group sessions or given to a family member. The videos could also be looked at whilst in a waiting area prior to attending an appointment, be utilised by the HSE’s Integrated Care Programme for Older Persons (ICPOP) locally and by service users and their families and carers.
The videos are currently available on the YouTube channel called “Nutrition for Ageing Well”. The Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute (INDI) professional body for Dietitians in Ireland also supports this project and there are plans for the videos to be also hosted on their web site (www.indi.ie), alongside their suite of first line information leaflets for the older person.
Lorna King (Clinical Specialist Dietitian), Emma Grant (Senior Dietitian) and Aideen McGuinness (Senior Dietitian) are working with respective HSE Integrated Care Programme for Older Persons (ICPOP) teams in South Tipperary, Waterford and Wexford.
Information pages will also be produced for the service user, carers, families and healthcare workers, with QR codes to access the videos when required.
Last updated on: 20 / 03 / 2025
