Difficulties carrying heavy shopping and in preparing and cooking meals have been identified as real problems and, with an ageing population, it is likely that unless action is taken the situation could become more prevalent and acute.

The report, 'Food Poverty and Older People', points out that the consequences of not eating a healthy, balanced diet can be severe, with malnutrition leaving people lacking in energy and prone to illness and depression.

"The situation we are facing, that of 'food poverty', can be characterised by not having enough income to afford healthy food; having problems getting to and from the shops, or not knowing how to cook so that you can prepare healthy meals," said Lindsey Kearton, Senior Policy Officer at the Welsh Consumer Council and author of the report.

"We know that this situation is increasing as life expectancy and diminishing birth rates mean the age profile of our population is changing," she continued.

"The promotion of healthy ageing may have moved up the policy agenda in recent years however our research would suggest there is still a lot of work to be done. It is a social injustice that throughout 21st century Wales some older people are struggling to gain access to a healthy diet.

"Our research showed us that the biggest obstacles for older people are mobility problems - difficulties carrying heavy shopping from the shop to home and difficulties preparing and cooking meals in the home.

"The changing face of food retailing means that most people now have to travel further to shop. For those with access to a car this poses less of a problem, however for those reliant on public transport it can make life difficult.

"Therefore, we're suggesting the wider adoption of things such as the availability of door-to-door transport and 'assisted shopping' schemes.

"It is also important to note that the supermarket isn't necessarily the 'big evil' as far as older people are concerned. The vast majority undertake most of their food shopping at supermarkets and for those with disabilities they are better equipped in terms of parking and other facilities than smaller, high street retailers.

"Also, even though the internet can offer people the opportunity to have food delivered to their houses there are still issues with take-up of the technology and the online experience cannot offer the social interaction of actually going to the shops.

"Other problems mentioned during research include problems in using standard kitchen equipment; the need for practical advice on healthy eating; the size of portions available and a lack of motivation to cook also appears to be common, especially for those living on their own.

"Therefore, we're also calling for the wider use of intergenerational schemes, where Local Authorities set-up agreements to develop lunch clubs at local schools and colleges, encouraging social interaction between older people and children/young people.

"Colleges and Universities can also set-up 'shopping partner' schemes in which student volunteers help older people to do their food shopping, Both Cardiff and Aberystwyth Universities have run such schemes in the past.

"There are also kitchen utensils and equipment which have been specifically designed with older people in mind. Information about these needs to be readily available, and actively promoted.

"And, with a growing population of older people, retailers should recognise that there is a need which their products do not currently satisfy and that this could potentially become an increasing gap in the market.

"A lot of work is currently being done on improving our health as a nation. We are fully in support of this, particularly the work being done to tackle obesity in children, but at the same time we must make sure that we don't forget the needs and health of older people."

Quotes from respondents

"There have been times when I can't get any further than [well-known supermarket] and if [supermarket] hasn't got it I don't have it...I feel for the smaller traders...but I can't use them" (Cardigan)

"I have to rely on one of my sons to take me to the supermarket because I can't carry a lot anymore" (Cardiff)

"There are quite a few senior citizens who are out of the range of Pension Credit but there are a lot of things they can't afford to have...they can't afford five portions of fruit and veg a day" (Cardiff)

"We come from the era where you didn't throw things away...if you have to buy a big bag by the time you get to the end it's all gone brown" (Cardiff)

"The free buses to get to the supermarket...you get put off in the main road and you've got to carry your stuff home...I got off the bus and thought what happens now!" (Cardiff)

"I'm getting fearful of the oven...people who are not arthritic don't understand this...also you can't very well move from one end of the kitchen to the other" (Cardigan)

"You've got tinned food and you can't open it with a tin opener...I can't use mine" (Cardiff)

"...are you just too fed-up to go and cook it, the salad is there, the cabbage is there...and you think 'it's time I got myself a bit of dinner' and you end up perhaps grilling a chop and having a bit of bread and butter with it...no excuse except you just haven't got the energy" (Cardigan)

"I lived for a number of years on my own...and during that time I didn't cook, I can quite understand people who are on their own, not cooking" (Cardigan)

"If you get out and mingle a bit you learn of lots of things that are on, if you're housebound sometimes the information doesn't come to you" (Cardiff)