Aging network providers face financial and organizational challenges serving the large numbers of people eligible for the Title III-C senior nutrition program under the Older Americans Act (OAA). During the 2020 pandemic, the aging network experienced a surge in demand…
Using Groceries and other Nutrition Services to Meet Senior Needs
The Senior Nutrition Program (SNP) of the Older Americans Act (OAA) is a unique federal program for older adults that offers nutritious meals, social opportunities of friendship, companionship, volunteerism, and a range of additional services that allow older adults to…
Senior Nutrition Programs and Sustainability: Establishing a Private Pay Program
Senior Nutrition Programs (SNPs) have historically established fee-for-service private pay systems for meals, in addition to providing meals funded by the Older Americans Act (OAA). These payment systems can help expand services beyond existing OAA funding, thereby increasing resources for…
The Diner – Promising Practice COVID-19 Pivot
This Promising Practice from the Network brief describes The Diner, a casual dining experience with a mission to nourish seniors through food and socialization. Located in Vancouver, Washington, The Diner is one of several social enterprise activities of Meals on…
2019 Profile of Older Americans
The Profile of Older Americans is an annual summary of the available statistics related to the older population in the United States. Principal sources of data are the U.S. Census Bureau, the National Center for Health Statistics, and the Bureau…
Poverty, Hunger, Health, and the Federal Nutrition Programs: A Profile of the Southern Region
The public health and economic crisis created by COVID-19 is exacerbating the already alarming rates of food insecurity in the Southern Region of the United States, according to Hunger, Health, and the Federal Nutrition Programs: A Profile of the Southern Region,…
Toolkit: Addressing Nutrition and Social Connection Needs of Rural Older Adults During the COVID-19 Emergency
Older adults living in rural areas are especially vulnerable during the COVID-19 public health emergency, even as their needs for nutrition and socialization services are rising. Rural residents face persistent challenges related to accessing long-term services and supports, healthcare, transportation,…
Step By Step Guide For Senior Nutrition Programs Seeking to Work with Food Retailers
Senior nutrition programs are uniquely positioned to adapt, ideate, and succeed in engaging traditional and untraditional partners to meet the evolving nutrition needs of the older adults that they serve. As senior nutrition programs continue to engage with older adults…
Virtual Intertribal Food Summit
How to Attend? There are a couple ways to attend and participate in this Virtual Intertribal Food Summit: Live Zoom roundtables and livestreams to facebook. See the schedule for these live events and make sure you are registered to receive the…
Contracting Tips for Purchasing Meals
Senior nutrition programs with congregate meal sites and home delivered meal programs may source meals through a foodservice distributor, group purchasing organization (GPO), consortium or solicit contracted pricing themselves. Contracting can occur as part of normal operations, or may arise…
National Blueprint: Achieving Quality Malnutrition Care for Older Adults
Up to one out of every two older Americans is at risk for malnutrition, yet there is a gap in the delivery of malnutrition care for older adults. The Defeat Malnutrition Today coalition has worked with other partners to release…
How to Communicate With Older Adults about Food Insecurity and Hunger
This resource examines the issue of hunger among the older adult population and addresses health and financial impacts due to food insecurity. Data on the demographics of older adults living with hunger in America is also shared within the…
Contracting Toolkit
The Aging and Disability Business Institute at the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) released a new multi-part Contracting Toolkit designed to help aging and disability community-based organizations (CBOs) navigate the complex terrain of health care contracting. The first part of…
Enhancing Socialization through Making Meaningful Volunteer Connections during COVID-19
Social interaction is essential for physical and mental health and well-being. The health benefits of human social interaction are plentiful; delaying memory loss, improving mood, stimulating appetite, and decreasing mortality. Aging experts have known the value of socialization for a…
The Joy of Cooking and its Benefits for Older Adults
Cooking nutritious meals at home can be a key strategy for healthy eating, particularly in an environment dominated by fast food, carry out, and processed foods. Cooking at home has become especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has forced…
Toolkit: Resuming “New Normal” Operations: A Peer-to Peer Exchange for Senior Nutrition Programs
Senior nutrition programs across the country are transitioning in ways large and small to “new normal” operations as localities and states are reopening to resume economic activity. Implementing “new normal” operations will differ from community to community, particularly along geographic…
Toolkit: The “New Normal” Way of Providing Key Nutrition Services to Seniors
The COVID-19 public health emergency continues to change the ways in which the aging network is meeting the needs of older adults. Over the past several weeks, senior nutrition programs have shown great leadership and innovation as they altered their…
Options for Contracting Meals During COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has created food production challenges for senior nutrition programs across the United States. Congregate meal sites have closed and are no longer able to provide on-site nutritious meals and socialization to older Americans. Displaced congregate attendees have…
Partnering with USDA Programs During COVID-19
Food security/insecurity is a basic social determinant of health. Access to safe, adequate, nutritious, quality food and fluid is essential for life, health, disease risk reduction, and management of chronic disease and conditions. Titles III and VI of the Older…
FAQs – Groceries and OAA Programs
Food insecurity was an issue prior to COVID-19, but it is an even bigger issue during the COVID-19 crisis. Fortunately, all states now have major disaster declarations (MDD) and thus have the authority* to exercise maximum flexibility to feed and…
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