When we think about staying healthy as we age, we often focus on walking, keeping strong or managing medication. What can be easily missed is something more everyday: what we eat and drink, and whether we are getting enough of it.
During Dietitians Week, 11 – 17 May 2026, Enliven is recognising the important role dietitians play in supporting older people to live well at home. Having a dietitian as part of the Enliven team of experts makes a big difference.
Kristen Clarke is a dietitian who works with Enliven and other community teams. She values Enliven’s team based approach. “The Enliven setup is very positive. You are part of a team and you are valued as part of the team.” She also values how challenges are talked through together. “You are not just doing your piece of the work. You are working alongside the other team members to support a person.”
Seeing the whole picture
Eating and drinking sit alongside strength, balance, weight, energy, and learning new routines. All of these factors are important for staying steady and living independently at home.
From the start, Enliven pays close attention to nutrition. “Enliven nurses are amazing at carrying out mini nutritional assessments, on intake and then every three months.” This helps ensure changes are picked up early, before they become bigger issues. “If someone’s lost three kilograms in three months, that’s an example of when I would visit the client. Or, sometimes it can be as little as one kilogram, but for a slight person, that weight loss may indicate a need to review their situation.”
When small changes matter
Kristen often sees older people brush off small amounts of weight loss, especially when it happens slowing over time. “When you lose weight, you don’t just lose the fat, you lose the muscle, and then it impacts your balance.” For many older people, that link between food, strength and balance makes sense straight away.
The benefits of home visits
Working in the community looks very different from clinic-based appointments. Being invited into someone’s home gives a clearer picture of what is going on day to day. “Clients can show you their fridge and pantry and I can see exactly what someone is talking about, I can visit over lunchtime and see them eating or not eating.” That helps conversations feel more practical and more respectful. “It’s great to be able to see people in their home environment.”
Support goes beyond food. The skilled multi-disciplinary Enliven team works together so people can keep doing everyday activities safely, including cooking. “We’ve got someone going in and doing kitchen assessments and a physio ensuring that a person can stand safely in their kitchen, and then me as a dietitian coming in and saying, okay, this is something that you could cook as well. So working together is super important.”
For Kristen, a difference at Enliven comes down to being in people’s homes and not in a clinical setting. It’s about taking the time, and choosing the right time, and working alongside other experts who see the same person from different angles. It is these everyday details that support older people to stay nourished, strong, and living well at home.
If you or a loved one want to stay at home but need support, ask your GP about Enliven services or freephone Enliven on 0800 436 548.
