Arts & Humanities, by Marcy Griffen
Home-delivered meals help seniors maintain health

Most people know about “Meals on Wheels”—either know someone who received meals or someone who is in the program currently. If they don’t, chances are good that either they, or a loved one, will need Meals on Wheels at some point through their aging process.
For at least thirty years, more than six billion meals have been served nationwide to feed older Americans and to help them remain in their homes. Locally, the Alger-Marquette Community Action Board (AMCAB) has administered the home-delivered meal program in Marquette and Alger counties for more than twenty-five years.
At any time, more than one million older adults in the United States are malnourished. Studies show that a poor diet causes increased disease, hospitalizations and nursing home admissions.
This, in turn, has a direct impact on rising health care costs and loss of independence for aging Americans. The importance, therefore, of proper nutrition for older adults cannot be overstressed. Proper nutrition is vital to the health, proper function of the body, quality of life and healthy aging.
Meals on Wheels delivers meals to the homes of the most frail and nutritionally at risk older adults. The program serves adults, sixty and older who are homebound meaning that they do not normally leave their homes by themselves.
Spouses and those caring for homebound seniors also may receive meals if there is no other access to a balanced diet. With more than 90,000 meals delivered each year in the two-county area, Meals on Wheels often is the support that keeps an aging person at home.
The program also provides meals to those sixty and older who have been released from hospital or nursing home care until they are back on their feet. An increase in the number of older adults and earlier release from hospitals and nursing homes has increased the demand for this service. These meals help to ensure that the person gains strength and fully recovers from surgery or illness. If the person is not strong or well enough to prepare meals for themselves, the risk of readmission increases significantly.
To determine if a person needs Meals on Wheels, a staff person will conduct an in-home assessment. At least every six months, the person will be reassessed to monitor progress and make referrals to other agencies. Seniors, can refer themselves to Meals on Wheels. Referrals also can be made by family members, friends or neighbors, hospitals, home health agencies, nursing homes, senior centers and others.
This program does more than just deliver meals to homebound persons. The individual who delivers the meal provides a vital service by checking on the welfare of the person.
If the person does not answer the door, a system is in place to call emergency contacts to ensure that everything is all right. The meal deliverer reports any health or other concerns. In many cases, the only person that many homebound adults talk to or see on a daily basis is the person delivering their Meals on Wheels. Friendships often develop between the senior and the meal deliverer; another welcomed benefit to isolated seniors.
All home-delivered meals meet or exceed one-third of the USDA Recommended Daily Allowances of nutrients for older adults. The nutritional content of food items and menu variety are monitored by a registered dietitian. Meals are adjusted to meet the needs of diabetic diets and may be chopped, ground or pureed.
Although the intent of this program is to provide hot meal delivery at least five days per week, funding limits do not allow daily delivery in the more rural areas of the two-county area. In general, this includes the areas outside the cities of Marquette, Negaunee, Ishpeming and Munising. Depending on where the person lives, delivery in remote areas may be one, two or three days per week.
Program participants, however, receive at least five meals per week, that may include a combination of hot and frozen meals. Extra daily meals or meals for the weekends may be requested.
The program does not charge a meal fee, per Administration on Aging regulations. However, donations are encouraged. The suggested per meal donation is $2.50. Family members may donate on behalf of their loved ones. Seniors are encouraged to donate at a level that is comfortable for them, whether below or above the suggested donation. Although the program needs donations to meet operational costs, seniors are not denied service if they are unable to donate.
For more information, to make a self-referral or to refer someone else, call 228-6522, ext. 302 or 304, or call (800)562-9762, ext. 302 or 304.
—Marcy Griffen

Editor’s Note: Marcy Griffen is a community nutrition services director and an advisory member of the Marquette County Commission on Aging.