Ana F Diallo1,2, Katherine Falls1, Krista Hicks3, Ethlyn McQueen Gibson4, Rawan Obaid5, Patricia Slattum6, Faika Zanjani2,7, Elvin Price2,6, Pamela Parsons1,2. 1. Virginia Commonwealth University School of Nursing, Richmond, VA, USA. 2. Virginia Commonwealth University, Institute of Inclusion, Inquiry & Innovation, Richmond, VA, USA. 3. Noom Inc., Richmond, VA, USA. 4. Hampton University School of Nursing, Hampton, VA, USA. 5. School of Nursing, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA. 6. School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA. 7. Department of Gerontology, College of Health Professions, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe the Healthy Meal Program (HMP), a community-academic partnership that aims to address the food insecurity and social isolation in older adults living in an urban setting. PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION: Low-income older adults were screened for food insecurity and social isolation. A partnership with the food bank and a farm-based organization helped provide a weekly congregate or home-delivered meal, pilot a cooking class, and offer a mobile market selling fresh vegetables at discounted prices. PROGRAM EVALUATION: Overall, 339 individuals agreed to participate in the screening process. Sixty-eight percent (n = 230) screened positive for food insecurity and 41% (n = 139) screened positive for social isolation. Among individuals who were food insecure, 159 were referred to a food commodity program, 31 to meals on wheels, 23 to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, and 28 to emergency food pantries. The mobile market served 75 participants weekly and 15 individuals took part in cooking classes. CONCLUSIONS: Screening for food insecurity and social isolation in the HMP helped to assess the prevalence of these social determinants of health in low-income older adults. Weekly congregate meals, home visits, and group cooking classes were initiatives taken to decrease the impact of food insecurity and social isolation in this vulnerable population.
OBJECTIVE: To describe the Healthy Meal Program (HMP), a community-academic partnership that aims to address the food insecurity and social isolation in older adults living in an urban setting. PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION: Low-income older adults were screened for food insecurity and social isolation. A partnership with the food bank and a farm-based organization helped provide a weekly congregate or home-delivered meal, pilot a cooking class, and offer a mobile market selling fresh vegetables at discounted prices. PROGRAM EVALUATION: Overall, 339 individuals agreed to participate in the screening process. Sixty-eight percent (n = 230) screened positive for food insecurity and 41% (n = 139) screened positive for social isolation. Among individuals who were food insecure, 159 were referred to a food commodity program, 31 to meals on wheels, 23 to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, and 28 to emergency food pantries. The mobile market served 75 participants weekly and 15 individuals took part in cooking classes. CONCLUSIONS: Screening for food insecurity and social isolation in the HMP helped to assess the prevalence of these social determinants of health in low-income older adults. Weekly congregate meals, home visits, and group cooking classes were initiatives taken to decrease the impact of food insecurity and social isolation in this vulnerable population.
Authors: Jane Chung; Michael Bleich; David C Wheeler; Jodi M Winship; Brooke McDowell; David Baker; Pamela Parsons Journal: Gerontol Geriatr Med Date: 2021-03-26