More Than Food

As people grow older, they are more likely to lose friends, family members, or loved ones, and may live alone. Also, they are more likely to experience physical and mobility impairments, mental health conditions, and cognitive decline, which can make it harder to get out and about. All of these can increase feelings of loneliness and isolation.

Meals on Wheels not only serves millions of seniors across America, but also provides social benefits to vulnerable older adults. Many studies found that there is an increase risk of diseases such as diabetes, undernutrition, hypertension, arthritis, emphysema, depression, cognitive decline, and increased mortality in lonely seniors.

A recent study about the impact of social services on social isolation shows that seniors who received daily, in-home delivery of meals by Meals on Wheels had lower self-reported loneliness than those who on the Meals on Wheels waiting lists. About 40 percent of older adults who on Meals on Wheels program barely contact with other people. 14 percent of those on the waiting list had no one to call for help, and 20 percent were rarely in touch with a friend or family member.

While the number of seniors who deal with loneliness and social isolation is growing, Meals on Wheels is another way in helping vulnerable people in food as well as help them get the social interactions they need to keep feelings of loneliness at bay. 

Source: https://www.policiesforaction.org/blog/socially-isolated-seniors-meals-wheels-delivers-more-food