OLDER AMERICAN'S ACT

Older American's Act



Older American's Act

INTRODUCTION

Scientific evidence increasingly support that good nutrition is essential for health, functionality and quality of life. For older adults, adequate nutrition may be especially important because of their increased vulnerability to chronic disease and conditions which may impair their functionality, their access to adequate food and nutrition, and their ability to live at home in the community. (Sheppard, 2005)The old-old, minority individuals, low-income individuals, individuals who live alone, individuals with disabling conditions particularly those that interfere with their ability to shop and cook for themselves. Individuals with multiple chronic diseases may be at highest risk for poor nutrition and the resultant health consequences. Adequate nutrition is integral to healthy aging and the prevention or delay of chronic disease and disease-related disabilities. It plays a role in health promotion/disease prevention as well as the treatment and management of chronic diseases.

Background On: Senior Nutrition

Almost 10 million older Americans are at high risk of malnutrition. And among those who are homebound or recently hospitalized, almost half are at high risk. (Sheppard, 2005) Many seniors lack the nutritional education needed to shape well-balanced meals and live healthy lifestyles. In addition, there are millions who aren't able to prepare proper meals or don't have access to transportation to pick up groceries or supplies. (Pratt, 2004)Simply by improving their diet, senior Americans can reduce the risks of heart disease, cancer, stroke, emphysema, and diabetes. Exercise also decreases the risk and prevalence of many health problems Nutrition service programs help older participants learn to shop, plan for and prepare meals, and be mindful of any specific dietary requirements. They also connect seniors with support services including transportation, home-health aides, and home modification and food assistance programs. (Justice, 2003) According to the (Justice 2003) the meals on wheels“ program began in Philadelphia, PA, in 1954. Since then, private and public efforts have served billions of meals to the nation's elderly and homebound all across the country.

LITERATURE REVIEW

The Older Americans Act Nutrition Programs

Nutrition œ A Critical Service

Millions of older adults are malnourished. Adequate nutrition is essential for healthy aging and the prevention or delay of chronic disease and disease-related disabilities. Congregate nutrition services improve participants' health and prevent more costly interventions. Home-delivered nutrition services enable older adults to avoid or delay costly institutionalization and allow them to stay in their homes and communities. (Hudson, 2003)The need for adequate food and nutrition services by millions of at-risk older adults currently exceeds the resources of the existing programs. These programs are the foundation services of home and community-based care for older adults and their families.

INTERVIEW

American families need help. It's that simple. The nutritious meals and social interaction provided by the Administration on Aging's (AoA) nutrition programs help families each and A 71-year-old American Indian woman who has(every day as these examples show: difficulty walking reports that she couldn't continue to care for her 81-year-old husband in their home if it wasn't for the meals. (Colorado) An 80-year-old man who uses a walker, never ...