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MEALS ON WHEELS AMERICA RESEARCH

FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND REPORT PROVIDES GUIDANCE ON ADDRESSING SENIOR HUNGER

 
Hunger in Older Adults: Challenges and Opportunities for the Aging Services Network is a report seeking to increase the understanding of a variety of food assistance programs that can work in combination to more effectively address the needs of the more than 10 million older Americans struggling with hunger each year. The need for this resource became apparent amidst a Meals on Wheels America pilot project, funded by AARP Foundation and Caesars Foundation, that sought to use tablet technology as a means to increase enrollment of eligible individuals in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). In doing this work, the need for additional information about the full range of food assistance programs emerged.

HUNGER IN OLDER ADULTS: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE AGING SERVICES NETWORK

RELEASED FEBRUARY 7, 2017

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While national, state and local assistance programs often operate in isolation, it is proven that by using these programs in a coordinated way they can more effectively address the myriad of health, environmental, physical and economic barriers to food security that many older adults face. Through best practices and actionable strategies, Hunger in Older Adults seeks to engage Aging Network leaders and advocates as partners to increase use of food assistance programs by older adults as this vulnerable population is set to double by 2050.

For the first time in one place, the Hunger in Older Adults report: 

  • Examines national programs that address these issues, silos in these systems, and potential strategies; 
  • Synthesizes publicly available research and information from government, organizations, academic studies, aging services reports and technical assistance materials;
  • Examines the multiple ways that State Units on Aging (SUAs) tackle food insecurity to better address senior hunger issues within their state; 
  • Illuminates some of the challenges and opportunities for the community-based nutrition services network in serving older adults; and
  • Recommends actions for leaders and advocates to better communicate, coordinate or collaborate, and develop more effective interventions.

Download the Executive Summary        Download the full report
        read the press release             View Webinar Recording Now

This report is intended to be disseminated freely. In reproducing any excerpts of this report, please provide a credit that recognizes Meals on Wheels America, such as: Hunger in Older Adults  was produced by Meals on Wheels America through a grant provided by AARP Foundation and Caesars Foundation.