The dairy advocacy list for the upcoming federal elections contains what may be considered an extraordinary priority.
As an advocacy priority for Australian dairy farmers (ADF), nutrition, and more specifically malnutrition in home care for the elderly, is in line with local work and livability, sustainability and productivity. ..
The health benefits of dairy products are indisputable, but the role of dairy products in the elderly care industry is not well understood. until now.
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According to a study by the University of Melbourne and Austin Health, eating more dairy products can have a dramatic impact on reducing fractures and falls in older caregivers.
The results of a two-year study monitoring the health of approximately 7,200 residents from 60 geriatric care facilities throughout Victoria show: British Medical Journal The end of last year.
Previous studies of the study found that many older caregivers were malnourished and typically consumed half of the dairy intake recommended by Australian dietary guidelines. This discovery is shocking.
Studies have shown that when residents increase their daily dairy intake from 2 serve to 3.5 serve, fractures and falls are significantly reduced. Residents given additional dairy products maintained arm and leg muscles and reduced falls. Overall fractures were reduced by 33%, including a 46% drop in hip fractures and an 11% reduction in falls.
There may be recognition that higher dairy intake in home care for the elderly is a costly way to treat falls and fractures, but there is no evidence of this extra cost. What is clear is the enormous benefits.
Evidence submitted to the Royal Commission on the quality and safety of geriatric care estimated that hip fractures in residential geriatric care residents would add $ 313 million annually to health bills nationwide.
And while that may not be the first thing people might think of, dairy products can be part of the solution by improving the health of elderly caregivers.
To achieve this, the Australian Government needs to develop minimum nutritional standards that are mandatory for elderly care service providers. These criteria should be set to be consistent with research and Australian dietary guidelines. It should apply to the entire elderly care sector.
Related Resources: For seniors in Australia, we recommend additional glasses of dairy milk
In reality, there are many economic benefits to increasing dairy intake in geriatric care facilities. Domestic demand will be boosted and costs to the elderly care and health industry will be reduced by improving health.
But that’s not all. If more Australians carefully follow Australian dietary guidelines, a wider signal will be sent that some of the burden on the health care system can be removed.
Dairy products such as milk, yogurt and cheese are rich in essential nutrients and offer health benefits such as reducing the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, osteoporosis and obesity.
Still, most Australians do not consume close to the amount needed to achieve these results.
The government needs to do more to improve the diet of Australians and reduce the burden on our health care system.
There are many free policy tools, such as improved regulations to achieve the truth of food labeling that can be deployed.
Through COVID-19, pandemic politicians have told us that they are acting to protect the health of Australians.
If this is the case, working on diet and lifestyle choices should be part of their election platform. These nutritional health goals are part of ADF’s 2022 Federal Election Policy Statement.
This statement details a set of strategies and initiatives to make people and the planet healthier.
At ADF, we want to eliminate malnutrition in the elderly.
We know that dairy products can play an important role, and we believe that the elderly care and election crisis is an opportunity to make a real difference.
By addressing these issues, we benefit the public in improving the health of all Australians and reducing the number of people in need of medical care.
Everyone needs to eat a healthy diet and give them the best opportunity to be healthy according to Australian dietary guidelines.
We are determined to ensure that dairy products occupy a legitimate position in the diet of everyone from children to the elderly.
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Story nutrition policy should ensure that dairy products are included in everyone’s diet.
