March 1972 was a momentous month for older adults throughout the United States. That was when President Richard Nixon signed into law a measure that amended the Older Americans Act of 1965 to include a national nutrition program for seniors 60 years and older. This is the 50th anniversary of that vital and life-changing program.
Since them, older adults have had the opportunity to participate in nutrition programs at various senior centers all over the United States and receive nutritious meals for a donation and, more importantly, receive a meal delivered to them at home if they qualify. The Meals on Wheels program is probably the best-known program that is funded for older adults and rightfully so. It’s more than just a meal!
Through the years, the program has changed and the guidelines for qualifying have become a little more stringent, but the goal of the Meals on Wheels program has always remained the same: keeping that older person in their home! Studies have proven that older adults who remain in their home environment live longer and save money because that meal and other in-home services are a lot less expensive than the possible alternative — a nursing home.
Meals on Wheels is more than just a meal. Yes, there are programs who provide ready-to-heat-up meals, which are delivered and placed on the porch. Maturity Center clients are instead visited each day by wonderful, dedicated volunteers, who, in addition to delivering the meal, also provide a daily check in and report back to the center any problems or changes. Lives have literally been saved by these volunteers. A medical emergency, a fall, even a gas leak — our Meals on Wheels volunteers were there to provide more than just a meal!
For the past year, MMC has been a part of the We Care Program through a partnership with Education, Health and Research International, which sends a nurse to the homes of clients who need additional help or services. This expansion of the Meals on Wheels program is something that could and should be replicated throughout the United States.
Remember, it is more than just a meal. We want to keep them in the home environment.
The Modern Maturity Center will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Meals on Wheels program on Thursday, March 24. Community leaders and legislators have been invited to help pack and deliver meals. We want them to see this program in action. If you would like to know more about this vital program, please stop in to see us on that day. We are always looking for volunteers to help deliver and donations to support the program.
Funding for this program is provided by the Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities.
Carolyn Fredricks is the director of the Modern Maturity Center, Dover, and started working with the Nutrition Program when it started in Delaware in 1973.
