To the editor:
Every year, North Shore Elder Services provides 200,000 hot nutritious meals to elderly residents in the communities of Danvers, Peabody, Salem, Marblehead and Middleton.
This vital service is made possible through federal legislation known as the Older Americans Act. In Massachusetts alone, the funding allowed agencies to serve 8.6 million meals to older adults last year. These meals were served at luncheon programs in senior centers, elderly housing and other community venues where seniors gather, or delivered to older adults in their homes through Meals on Wheels.
The future of this successful program now rests with members of the U.S. Congress, who are expected to vote this month on the reauthorization of the Older Americans Act. We are asking the community to show your support for this important legislation.
According to the data from the Massachusetts Elder Nutrition programs, close to 67 percent of the recipients of the home-delivered meals are age 80 or older, and about 75 percent report that the hot lunch is their main meal of the day. Participants also cited improved health as a result of the delivered meals. In fact, more than 75 percent reported eating better, feeling better or having more energy as a result of the nutrition program.
With minimal stigma attached, the program also continues to prove successful in reaching those with the lowest incomes.
With the baby-boom population increasing at an unprecedented rate, 2012 is a critical year to guarantee the nutrition and health of older adults across the country. North Shore Elder Services joins with groups such as the National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs to emphasize to members of Congress the need to keep the vital community and home-based services provided by the Older Americans Act ongoing.
The Older Americans Act has enjoyed bipartisan support during its more than 45-year history. It's critical to the 75,000 older adults who received nutritious meals that there is no disruption in the renewal process.
Paul Lanzikos
Executive Director
Erica Blumberg
Nutrition Program Manager
North Shore Elder Services
Danvers
No Limits for Disabled Hunters at Mich. Base
Victim Identified in Fla. Face-chewing Attack
Radioactive Bluefin Tuna Crossed the Pacific
90 Guns Seized, Dozens Arrested in Oakland
Raw Video: Hail Storm Batters Oklahoma City
6-Year-Old Going to National Spelling Bee
California's Foie Gras Ban About to Begin
Video Essay: Funky Winkerbean Comic Turns 40
Hurricane Andrew Remembered, 20 Years Later
Judge's Ruling Halts Tenn. Mosque Construction
Romney in Las Vegas on Texas Primary Day
Sister Says She Reported Brother in Patz Killing
Even Fla. Police Shocked by Face-Mauling Attack
Angry Birds Spreading Their Wings
Witness Describes Fla. Face-chewing Attack
