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Food bank perceptions and food insecurity of older people: findings from an empirical study and how health and social care professionals might offer more support

Ellahi, Basma
; 
Carey, Malcolm
; 
Chapman, Hazel M.
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Other Contributors
Affiliation
University of Chester; Liverpool Hope University
EPub Date
Publication Date
2024-06-21
Submitted Date
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Health and Social Care
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Abstract
Food insecurity continues to increase in the UK, and includes a lack of adequate resources to shop, cook, and eat. Among social groups most likely to experience poverty, food insecurity and malnutrition, relatively few older adults have traditionally accessed food banks. This is despite malnutrition representing a common cause of functional decline and mortality amongst older people. This article draws from interviews in Cambridge with older adults, volunteers and others working with older people. It details why some older people who experience hunger or malnutrition may not access the services of a food bank. Among other findings, we highlight the impact of stigma and pride upon many older adult’s viewpoints, as well as the possible negative effects of chronic illness, isolation, reductions in social care funding and policy-based reforms. The potential of social and health care services to better support older people experiencing food insecurity and malnutrition is highlighted.
Citation
Ellahi, B., Carey, M., & Chapman, H. M. (2025). Food bank perceptions and food insecurity of older people: Findings from an empirical study and how health and social care professionals might offer more support. Critical and Radical Social Work, 13(3), 388–402. https://doi.org/10.1332/20498608Y2024D000000030
Publisher
Policy Press
Journal
Critical and Radical Social Work
Research Unit
URI
http://hdl.handle.net/10034/628709
DOI
10.1332/20498608Y2024D000000030
PubMed ID
PubMed Central ID
Type
Article
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Description
This is a post-peer-review, pre-copy edited version of an article published in [Critical and Radical Social Work]. The definitive publisher-authenticated version [Ellahi, B., Carey, M., & Chapman, H. M. (2025). Food bank perceptions and food insecurity of older people: Findings from an empirical study and how health and social care professionals might offer more support. Critical and Radical Social Work, 13(3), 388-402] is available online at: [https://bristoluniversitypressdigital.com/view/journals/crsw/13/3/article-p388.xml]
Series/Report no.
ISSN
2049-8608
EISSN
2049-8675
ISBN
ISMN
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Sponsors
Cambridge City Food Bank HSC15-74
Additional Links
https://bristoluniversitypressdigital.com/view/journals/crsw/13/3/article-p388.xml