Older people won't respond to treatment if they are malnourished. Help the Aged responded to a report from the British Association for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (BAPEN) showing that of adults admitted to hospitals, care homes and mental health units, 28 per cent are at risk of suffering from overall malnutrition at the time of their admission. The report also shows an increased risk on transfer between care settings - with a 43 per cent risk on transfer from a care home to hospital.