Encore Care Homes promotes the need for the elderly to maintain a healthy weight

The start of a new year brings the expectation that everyone should feel motivated to make some major lifestyle changes by improving their diet and making time to exercise more, with the goal to lose weight. However, Dr Stephen Tomkins, a dedicated GP for Encore Care Homes’ Fairmile Grange, explains how it has been proven that a dramatic change in diet can be extremely risky for the elderly to undertake. He added that it can cause more health implications, which will outweigh any benefit.

“At Encore we promote the need for our residents to enjoy a healthy balanced diet all year round and our in-house catering team uses fresh, locally sourced ingredients in its nutrition-rich meals on a daily basis. Many of us want to shed a few pounds after the Christmas period, however, weight loss in the elderly is rarely intentional and could suggest that there is an underlying health issue, which we would look into.

“As we age, malnutrition is very common amongst those aged 65 and over. This is for a number of reasons; from bereavement and loneliness causing a loss of appetite, to the elderly simply being unable to cook for themselves as they find preparing meals difficult and cannot stand for long periods of time. It is therefore essential that all elderly members of the community receive the personalised care that they require.”

Dr Stephen added: “It is a frequent mistake when people assume that weight loss is only related to being healthy. At Encore we focus on boosting our residents’ health and wellbeing through nutritional meals and an extensive list of activities, which encourages socialisation and stimulation. It is often a common misconception that exercise helps you lose weight but in fact gentle, regular exercise such as walking can help build up lean muscle mass, which will aid in putting on weight. Our residents also receive regular check-ups to ensure that they are retaining weight and if this is not the case we would take further investigations into the reasons why.”

Encore Care Homes specialises in modern, purpose-built, private care homes in the South of England, which provide residential, nursing and dementia care. Encore manages Great Oaks in Bournemouth. The 80-bed care home is fitted with state-of-the-art facilities, which are designed to enable staff to provide the highest standard of twenty-four hour, personalised care and ensure residents are comfortable and happy in their surroundings.

For more information please visit www.greatoaksbournemouth.co.uk  or call 01202 087444 to speak to a member of the team.

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Note to editors:

Encore Care Homes manages three care homes in Dorset and Hampshire, Hamble Heights in Fareham and Fairmile Grange on the grounds of Christchurch Hospital.

Great Oaks is the latest addition of an established family of care homes managed by Encore Care Homes.

Encore Care Homes’ values:

Our team delivers the highest quality of person-centred care because we encompass all aspects of wellbeing:

  • Nursing and dementia care
  • Modern and efficient facilities
  • Great nutrition and hydration
  • Engaging, enjoyable daily activities
  • Comfort and companionship

Most importantly we provide the feeling of true homeliness. So much so, that our little community often becomes the extension of the family for residents and relatives.

For more information please visit www.greatoaksbournemouth.co.uk .

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Shona Race at Liz Lean PR
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