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Hunger a growing concern for older adults
By Frankie Wilford
The health of our senior neighbors can become compromised when there is not enough to eat or when the food they have on had to eat is nutritionally inadequate. A elder adult may have money to purchase food but may lack transportation to get to the grocery store or may no longer be able to prepare healthy meals for themselves.
In our land of plenty, the Meals On Wheels Research Foundation (MOWRF) issued our nation a failing grade in its first report card on reducing hunger and food insecurity among seniors. Over eight million older adults struggle every day to put food on the table and 38% of these individuals do not qualify for government programs because their annual incomes are twice the poverty line. Jim, a Coppell resident, has no family nearby and represents the seniors in our community who are food insecure.
A proud and independent man, Jim continued working part-time into his eighties until declining health forced him to retire. A small pension supplements his Social Security income and yet unanticipated expenses resulted in him having no money left over for groceries. Concerned friends referred him to Senior Adult Services, a local non-profit organization that offers solutions to seniors aging in community. At a Home Visit, Jim's Case Manager was able to sign him up for food through the Aldersgate Methodist Church food pantry and Metrocrest Social Services. Through SAS's Home Repair program, volunteers will make some modifications to improve his safety at home and Jim will also receive Medicare counseling to lower his prescription costs. A special a Holiday Basket program will help cover small other needs and ensure that his pantry is stocked for the coming season.
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