Increasing Appetite For Life Among Older Tasmanians
1 February 2007
Department of Health and Human Services in Tasmania
The Department of Health and Human Services in Tasmania has launched a revised version of their popular nutrition guide designed to boost the health of older Tasmanians.
The Appetite for Life manual is a joint initiative of the Community Nutrition Unit in the Department of Health and Human Services and Home and Community Care Tasmania.
'Good nutrition is vital for all ages – but it’s especially important for older people'
'Poor diet in later years affects quality of life and increases costs of care to the community'
'This is particularly relevant in Tasmania because of the ageing population'
'In just 12 years, we are expected to have the oldest population in Australia - one in every four people will be aged 60 or older'
'We want to make sure that older Tasmanians enjoy not only extra quantity of life – but quality of life too - And that means staying healthy'
'Surveys have shown that, as a group, older people generally eat well - however, some particular groups are not so fortunate, with varying degrees of malnutrition because of an inadequate diet.'
(Lara Giddings - Tasmanian Health and Human Services Minister )
The Appetite for Life handouts are available for download. The Appetite for Life manual also contains sections on Nutrition Issues, Nutrition Screening and Resources. These chapters are accompanied with staff training and can be ordered by contacting:
Alison Graham
Community Dietitian
Community Nutrition Unit
Level 2, 152 Macquarie Street
Hobart TAS 7000
Ph (03) 6222 7066
Fax (03) 6222 7252
ali.graham@dhhs.tas.gov.au
