MEALS ON WHEELS AMERICA KICKS OFF 13th ANNUAL
MARCH FOR MEALS WITH RELEASE OF GROUNDBREAKING RESEARCH
STUDY
More Than a Meal Research Study conceived by
Meals on Wheels America, conducted by Brown University and
funded by AARP Foundation, shows impact of meal service
delivery on the health and well-being of adults 60 years of
age and older
Alexandria, VA, March 2, 2015 – Meals on
Wheels America today releases the findings from a research
study it commissioned Brown University’s Center for
Gerontology and Healthcare Research to conduct with funding
provided by AARP Foundation. The release of this
groundbreaking study commemorates the start of the
organization’s 13th March for Meals – a nationwide
celebration of local Meals on Wheels programs throughout the
month of March.
“The Meals on Wheels network faces tough
choices forced by limited funding, rising costs,
unprecedented demand and need, and increasing for-profit
competition,” said Ellie Hollander, President and CEO of
Meals on Wheels America. “Thanks to Brown University and
AARP Foundation, we have the research-backed evidence that
confirms what we’ve all known for decades anecdotally
through personal experience: that Meals on Wheels does in
fact deliver so much more than just a meal.”
“The findings in this study show the great
value of Meals on Wheels America’s work as their volunteers
provide not only a needed meal but a friendly face and
safety check,” said Lisa Marsh Ryerson President of AARP
Foundation. “The report reinforces our resolve at AARP
Foundation to address the interrelated issues of senior
hunger and isolation by pursuing both immediate relief and
longer-term solutions.”
Meals on Wheels America contracted Dr. Kali
Thomas, PhD, principal researcher at Brown University’s
Center for Gerontology and Healthcare Research, to design
and execute the 15-week pilot study involving more than 600
senior participants to compare the experience and health
outcomes realized by older adults who receive three
different levels of service: daily traditional meal
delivery, once-weekly frozen delivery and individuals on a
waiting list for meals.
"As a former Meals on Wheels volunteer and
the granddaughter of a recipient, I have witnessed firsthand
the valuable benefits this service provides to those
fortunate enough to receive it,” said Kali Thomas, PhD,
Principal Investigator, Brown University. “We structured
this study as a randomized control, blinded study and what
we found in the data is significant evidence that seniors
derive several benefits beyond nutrition alone from this
service."
Key findings include:
* Those receiving and/or requesting Meals on
Wheels services are significantly more vulnerable compared
to a nationally representative sample of aging Americans.
* Those who received daily-delivered meals
experienced the greatest improvements in health and quality
of life indicators over the study period compared to the
other two groups (individuals who received frozen,
weekly-delivered meals and the control group).
* Those receiving daily-delivered meals
reported greater benefits from their home-delivered meal
experience compared to the group receiving frozen meals.
* Those who lived alone and received
daily-delivered meals were more likely to report decreases
in worry about being able to remain in home and improvements
in feelings of isolation and loneliness over the study
period, compared to the other two groups. For more
information, visit
www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org
Throughout the month-long March for Meals
celebration, local Meals on Wheels programs in virtually
every community across the country will be holding events,
speaking out and recruiting supporters to bolster the vital
services they provide to vulnerable seniors. This valuable
research will support these programs in making the case for
much-needed funding and resources, whether to elected
officials, private funders and foundations, or donors. To
find a local March for Meals celebration near you, visit
www.marchformeals.com
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About Meals on Wheels America
(Formerly Meals On Wheels Association of America)
Meals on Wheels America is the oldest and
largest national organization supporting the more than 5,000
community-based senior nutrition programs across the country
that are dedicated to addressing senior isolation and
hunger. This network exists in virtually every community in
America and, along with more than two million volunteers,
delivers the nutritious meals, friendly visits and safety
checks that enable America’s seniors to live nourished lives
with independence and dignity. By providing funding,
leadership, education and advocacy support, Meals on Wheels
America empowers its local member programs to strengthen
their communities, one senior at a time. For more
information, or to find a Meals on Wheels provider near you,
visit
www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org
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