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.