s the cost-of-living crisis continues to tighten its grip on household budgets, older New Zealanders are increasingly cutting back on food, putting their health at serious risk. Research and advocacy groups point to a growing trend of malnutrition among the elderly, as they struggle to balance essential expenses with the rising cost of groceries.
A study published five years ago in the Journal of Primary Health Care found that 93% of people transitioning from the community into residential care were either malnourished or at risk of malnutrition. This data, collected before the COVID-19 pandemic, excluded individuals with pre-existing conditions that might affect their ability to eat properly.
Now, Age Concern fears the situation is worsening. The organisation reports hearing about older people reducing their food intake as one of the only ways to manage escalating bills.
“It’s just what we are seeing happen with those who are living on a fixed income,” says Karen Billings-Jensen, Chief Executive of Age Concern. “The only movable bit of a budget is often that food spending.”
According to Billings-Jensen, 40% of people over 65 rely solely on New Zealand Superannuation for income, and another 20% have only a little bit more. While many older people are living well in warm, dry homes, those on fixed incomes are facing an impossible choice between essentials like rent, power, mortgages, rates, insurance—and now, food.
Food Banks: A Lifeline Increasingly Relied Upon
For a growing number of older New Zealanders, food banks are becoming a critical, albeit often shameful, resource.
“We’ve seen an increase in older people using food banks,” Billings-Jensen notes. “That’s hard in terms of feeling ashamed, but you also need to remember the amount of input you’ve put into your community and growing it. And this is potentially a time that you might need some help for a short time or for a specific reason.”
The consequences of poor nutrition in the elderly are far-reaching. It can exacerbate chronic diseases, increase disability, and prevent individuals from remaining in their own homes. Experts emphasise that it’s crucial for family members and community caregivers to be aware of this issue and to check in on older relatives and friends.
“It’s it’s everything really that’s keeping your body ticking from your gut health,” says Billings-Jensen.
