The Meals On Wheels Association
of America
The U.S. Census Bureau’s alternative
poverty measurement shows that more than 16% of America’s senior population
over 65 is living in poverty. This measurement is almost twice the
official poverty measurement released in 2010. When taking into account
the crippling costs of medical expenses, many seniors are coping in a poverty
crisis, and many are going hungry. A revised formula for calculating
the poverty measurement brings a truer picture of how our elderly generation
could be suffering a stark hunger crisis.
 |
It is well noted in health
care circles that nutrition plays an enormous part of maintaining and sustaining
a good level of health care. It is also now becoming widely noted
that many seniors are ignoring their nutritional welfare.
The Meals On Wheels Association
of America (MOWAA) claim that their numbers are increasing, as more and
more elderly Americans turn to their services in their time of need.
It is estimated that one in nine seniors faces the threat of hunger and
poor nutrition – this equates to 6 million elderly Americans. |
The Meals On Wheels Association
of America provides over one million meals each day to America’s senior
population, a population that is rapidly expanding. There are some
5,000 MOWAA programs serving across 50 states. Starting this year
a Baby Boomer in the U.S. turns 65 every 8 seconds, yet the Meals On Wheels
Association is working hard to end senior hunger by 2020.
The cost of living crisis
is forcing many seniors to cut back on the number of meals they can afford
from their Meals On Wheels Service. In San Diego, California about
20% of MOWAA customers have reduced their daily meals from two to one.
The average cost is $7 for two meals a day, or $4 for one meal a day.
Many customers have even reduced the number of days they receive meals.
This is potentially a serious
senior hunger crisis in the making as many over 65s are forced into choosing
between housing, medication and food. In many cases food comes last
out of need, but poor nutrition is likely to result in a greater need for
extended medical care and medication.
If you would like to find
out more about the Meals On Wheels Association of America, you can visit
their web site at www.mowaa.org.
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