Meals on Wheels

Meals on Wheels for Seniors and the Elderly

Meals on Wheels for Seniors and the Elderly
Top Rated Senior Meals

What is Meals on Wheels?

It is hard to believe that more than 9 million senior and elderly Americans face a daily threat of going hungry. It is even just as astounding to know that we, as a community, have the power to help stop this growing epidemic. This is why Meals on Wheels is the leading organization that supports feeding the elderly and seniors, delivering more than 2 million meals each year.

This organization’s services all 50 states and more than 5,000 elderly and senior programs. This amazing association works tirelessly with more than w million volunteers year round to help the elderly and seniors of our nation get the healthy nutrition they need.

Hunger is a long time threat on the health of the elderly and seniors. More than 9 million Americans aged 60 or older face the threat of going hungry. That is one in every six.

From the start of the recession in 2007 until the end of 2012, the number of elderly and seniors who were experiencing or were threatened with experiencing hunger rose by 50 percent. 
The Senior Center in Flanders NY of Southampton Town NY

Here is a local senior meal delivery service which is very similar to Meals on Wheels, and could be the model for all local government programs struggling to feed their seniors. These meals cost about $3 each to participants, but most of them are cooked, packaged, and delivered by local town employees for free. That, in itself, is worthy of acclaim, but it's the love and pride baked into every one of these meals that got our attention. Every government employee of the Flanders Senior Center tirelessly puts out a daily menu worthy of national recognition and at a level of attention to detail traditionally observed in fine dining establishments.

Meals, including Cod, Salmon, Pot Roast, and Flounder have to be immediate budget breakers, but they still appear on the menu. Homemade Baked Beans (who does that?) Mashed Potatoes (with some tiny lumps) and Roasted Brussels Sprouts are examples of culinary preparation passions we just haven't seen near this cost range. Classic comfort meals, like Chicken Parmesan and Meatloaf, are expertly prepared in the tradition of a 50's diner, and portion sizes, especially for higher-cost proteins like Pot Roast, Sliced Ham, Pork Roasts, do not go unnoticed. We were especially impressed with the use of fresh mushrooms instead of the canned version that appears in almost every other senior meal service in the country. 

In a day and age when national and regional companies look to line their pockets with government contracts at the expense of feeding local seniors, the Flanders Senior Center of Southampton Town NY lines the bellies of their area's seniors with some of the most impressive prepared meals we've ever had the pleasure to experience. It's not the result of one or two people, but a team and a philosophy of local government employees who all come together as a powerful force sharing their charitable energy and love for what they do and who they do it for. Well done!

About Meals on Wheels

The organization is working endlessly to bring that number down. It might surprise you to know which states rank the highest in hunger threat among the elderly and seniors: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, North and South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. Does it surprise you that your state might be in this list?

Thanks to this organization, nearly 3 million elderly and seniors get home delivered meals and nearly 1 million of our nation’s military veterans receive home delivered meals. More than 60 percent of the elderly and seniors suffer from at least three to six on going chronic medical conditions and more than 50 percent take at least three to six medications for those conditions. Of those 9 million, roughly 25 percent have at least two limitations in everyday life activities, such as dressing, bathing, eating and going to the bathroom.

Nearly 60 percent admitted that just one meal a day helps to provide more than half of their daily food. An amazing 90 percent claim that the meals that are delivered to them enable them to stay living in their homes and an astonishing 95 percent claim that a good meal, a nice smile and a few minutes of conversation makes them feel better all-around.

A 2012 National Survey for Older Americans conducted for the United States Administration of the Elderly and Aging reported that 90%of clients serviced believe that this organization enables them to live in their own homes, while 89 percent feel that Meals on Wheels helps them to feel secure, gives them a feeling of well-being, and will rate the quality of this organization (both food and service as excellent)

Many of these millions don't know where their next mean is coming from or if they will even have a next meal. They all are struggling with hunger and 6 million of them are in need elsewhere on top of their struggle against hunger. Thanks to this organization, nearly 30 percent are receiving necessary and quality help. Did you know that for every single dollar we invest in this organization, we can save up to $50 in Medicare and Medicaid expenses and spending.

Programs such as this organization are imperative to solving our national crisis. Between the nutritious meals, friendly staff and safety check-ins by the staff, the elderly and seniors can live more independent lives! In doing so, we can avoid spending millions of tax dollars for hospital and doctor care and the costs of a nursing home or recovery center.

If we can commit to serving just 25 percent of the elderly and seniors who face this hunger, the difference would be tenfold. The $2.4 billion we invest in this organization can be offset nearly 50 times by the $121 billion we end up saving (health costs, hospitals, etc.).

Did you know that more than 70 percent of Americans agree that the Government should be the one paying for Meals on Wheels? We can provide healthy meals for a senior or an elder for one full year for less than $1500! The federal government covers a sad 35 percent of that cost. Where does the rest of that coverage come from? This organization relies heavily on contributions from the states, local and private resources to make up the difference.

Of the millions of seniors and elderly that this organization helps, nearly 30 percent are currently living in poverty and more than 25 percent are part of a minority group.

The OAA (known as the "Older American Act") is a major piece of Federal legislation supporting the social services and nutrition services for Americans over the age of 60 and was enacted in 1965. This program is extremely important for those who are at risk for hunger and losing their independent ling capabilities.

The OAA established a grant system whereby funded programs address the needs of these people. It included meals (hoe delivery and group meals, such as at a senior center) transportation and mobile services, and personal care and in home care services.

Below are some facts for this organization from 2012 that might be of interest to you:
  • Of all the people serviced more than 65 percent were women
  • Nearly 40 percent live in poverty
  • 25 percent are of a minority group
  • Only 15 percent are eligible and participate in the SNAP program
  • More than 60 percent take more than three medications daily
  • Nearly 85 percent of these assisted people needed help going outside and doing daily functioning
  • More than 60 percent were given more than half their daily food through a meal from this organization.
This is an endlessly growing epidemic in our country. However with programs like This organization, we can overcome this and make the lives of so many people easier and more fulfilled with just a meal a day and a little comfort. It would benefit so many people, as well as the financial crisis of health care for the elderly and save the nation the money that they can invest back into the health care services for these people.

Additional References
Senior Meal Delivery Tips
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