This research examined senior community centers in Pennsylvania to analyze challenges and opportunities that these centers face in providing services to a growing senior population. Specifically, the research: created an inventory of Pennsylvania’s rural and urban senior community center (SCC)…
Older Americans Act Nutrition Program
A network of more than 5,000 community-based senior nutrition programs serve millions of seniors nationwide each year. These programs are partially funded through the Older Americans Act (OAA) Title III Nutrition Program, administered through the Administration for Community Living (ACL), and targets those who are the most economically and socially disadvantaged. In addition to nutritious meals, both Congregate and Home-Delivered meal programs provide nutrition education, nutrition counseling, and other nutrition services, as appropriate, based on the needs of nutrition program participants.
Congregate Meal Program
This program provides seniors with nutritious meals and socialization in a group setting.
Home-Delivered Meal Program
This program provides nutritious meals, friendly visits and safety checks to home-bound seniors.
Nutrition Services Incentive Program (NSIP)
NSIP provides incentives to states that effectively deliver nutritious meals to seniors. This incentive can be used to purchase food, or to pay for commodities through the U.S. Department of Agriculture for congregate and home-delivered meal programs.
Tele or Virtual Nutrition Education for Older Adults
Adequate nutrition is critical for the well-being and health of all individuals but is particularly important for older adults. Community-based food and nutrition programs are resources for addressing the nutritional health of aging adults. Many senior nutrition programs leverage technological…
Senior Nutrition Programs and Sustainability: Guide to Prioritizing Clients
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 Elements of 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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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