Meals on Wheels is More Than Food – It’s a Lifeline for Seniors

By: Victoria Ramirez , Director of Policy & Communications at The Health Trust | December 2019

Originally featured in Los Altos Hills and Atherton Living magazines.

In 2018, Peggy, a volunteer driver with Meals on Wheels, arrived at Russell’s home to deliver his meal and smelled gas.  Russell was feeling groggy and Peggy immediately opened the doors and windows and looked for the leak. Russell had covered his stove with plastic to protect it from some work that was being done in the kitchen and had accidentally turned on one of the stove knobs.  The stove was only 6 feet from the water heater in his apartment.

Peggy reported the incident to Meals on Wheels staff, who followed up with his emergency contact and part-time In-Home Supportive Services worker.

Russell Roath, 56, lives in San Jose and suffers from limited mobility due to several medical conditions including shattered ankles, spine fusion, bi-polar disorder, and stroke. He has been receiving daily meals through the Meals on Wheels program since 2014.

This was not the only time a driver has assisted Russell with a problem.  The year prior, he could feel a grand mal seizure coming on and alerted his driver.  She called 911 and stayed with him until the ambulance arrived and staff contacted his family.

Like Russell, there are approximately 14,850 seniors who are low-income and nutritionally at-risk with limited mobility residing in Santa Clara County, according to the most recent American Community Survey.

The Health Trust’s Meals on Wheels is one of the largest meal home-delivery programs in Santa Clara County. Since 2003, it has served over 8,400 older adults and adults with disabilities throughout the County with nearly 1.5 million meals. This year alone, more than 107,000 meals were provided to 652 individuals.

The program delivers meals to individuals who are unable to purchase or prepare their own food. But the Meals on Wheels delivery model used across the country is a ‘more than a meal’ model. With daily in-home visits, nutritious meals, and safety-checks, home-delivered meals improve diet quality, increase nutrient intake, reduce food insecurity and improve independence and quality-of-life among the recipients.

The Health Trust Meals On Wheels program is designed to support seniors who are the most vulnerable with high levels of food insecurity and possible chronic conditions impacting their ability to maintain their health and independence. In 2018, 78% of all Health Trust Meals On Wheels clients qualified as high nutritional risk. Of these, 94% are unable to independently shop, cook or feed themselves, 86% take three or more medications per day, and 62% don’t always have money to buy food.

The program not only provides essential nutrition, but 98% of clients also affirm that Meals On Wheels is important to their daily well-being.

“Meals on Wheels is a vital part of my life,” says Russell.  “I would not be able to survive without the food provided by Meals on Wheels.  The drivers are important to me also – they chat with me and I visit with them.  They keep me from being so lonely as I can’t get out much.”

For millions of Americans, Meals on Wheels is literally the difference between remaining in their own homes and needing to relocate to a nursing facility. The nutritious meal, friendly visit, and safety check help seniors cope with three of the biggest threats of aging: hunger, isolation, and loss of independence. Millions of families sleep better at night and can continue their daily routines and responsibilities because they know that Meals on Wheels is keeping a watchful eye over their aging loved ones.

Since 1996, The Health Trust has served the Silicon Valley community as a non-profit operating foundation with a mission to build health equity in Silicon Valley.

For over 20 years, it has ensured that health-related funding, policies, and services exist to help afford everyone the opportunity to be healthy — especially the most vulnerable. Its mission is driven by the values of respect, integrity, innovation, collaboration, diversity, and stewardship.

With support from funders, donors, and volunteers, and by partnering with community-based organizations, policymakers, and local leaders, The Health Trust seeks to build health equity, together.

“I really feel like Peggy saved my life that day.  I did not smell the gas and who knows what would have happened.  I am so grateful to Meals on Wheels,” said Russell.

To support The Health Trust’s efforts to build health equity in Silicon Valley, visit healthtrust.org.

Our special thanks to Care Indeed for sponsoring this article and joining our efforts to support seniors in our community.

 

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