MEALS-ON-WHEELS ENHANCED INITIATIVE:
ENDING WAITING LISTS FOR MEALS-ON-WHEELS
NOVEMBER 21, 2007
The time has come to
establish the right to meals-on-wheels for eligible elderly New Yorkers.
New York State could then proudly announce that there are no homebound
elderly individuals languishing on waiting lists as they now do. Family
caregivers could feel a sense of relief knowing their loved one is
receiving meals-on-wheels. Just think – Would you like to be the one to
say “no”?
Developing programs that provide opportunities for “healthy aging” in
the community is a public policy shift that is discussed by service
providers, seniors, advocates and government officials as the age
revolution takes hold throughout New York State.
The recently released CSCS hunger study, “Hunger Hurts: A Study of
Hunger Among the Elderly of New York City”, found that thousands of
older New Yorkers face the struggle of not having enough food. Out of
802 seniors interviewed, 35%, one out of three, reported “food
insecurity” – the inability to access sufficient and nutritious food,
mostly due to lack of having enough money. In some cases, it is due to
the inability to shop or cook. The study reports that even the one
congregate or home-delivered meal provided is not enough for thousands
of older adults. It is probable that many seniors in rural, suburban and
urban communities throughout the state are also struggling with having
enough food to eat. To read the report, please go to
www.cscs-ny.org.
According to the April 2007 report, “Older Americans Act Nutrition
Program, Choices for Independence,” “Research has shown that a healthy
diet and physical activity are more important than heredity in avoiding
declines associated with aging…Nutrition is central to disease treatment
and management.” Hunger does not support health. Hunger has serious
ramifications for the State. The OAA Nutrition Program report compared
the impact of older adults receiving three or more meals a week with
those receiving fewer and found that both congregate meal and
meals-on-wheels recipients receiving more meals had significantly fewer
inpatient hospital admissions.
A critical component of healthy aging is healthy eating. Basic,
but essential. Addressing hunger among the elderly has many
implications. All can agree that no elderly person should be hungry.
Hundreds of elderly, homebound New Yorkers and senior centers and
home-delivered meal providers increasingly face just that prospect as
waiting lists for meals-on-wheels continue to rise. CSCS in coalition
with service providers, advocates and seniors across the state is
working to end waiting lists for meals-on-wheels once and for all.
The time has come to establish the right to meals-on-wheels for
eligible elderly New Yorkers. There is no existing mandate that
government provide these meals as soon as a need is identified. The SNAP
home-delivered meal program, (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
Program), administered by the NY State Office for the Aging appears only
in budget language, not in statutory language as part of NY state law.
Therefore, we are calling upon the Spitzer administration and the state
legislature to commit to full funding of the SNAP program on an ongoing
basis.
No homebound older New Yorker should have to be on a waiting list
for meals-on-wheels. The eligibility criteria for
meals-on-wheels would remain the same as it is now. If a senior is
assessed as eligible for meals-on-wheels, the city should provide the
funding If a senior is assessed as eligible for meals-on-wheels, the
state should provide the funding. This includes funding for the food and
meal preparation as well as service delivery. For example, if an agency
needs another van, driver, meal deliverer, and administrative costs, to
expand the number of meals, funding needs to be made available for this.
There is an alarming trend statewide of seniors on meals-on-wheels
waiting lists. As of today, in New York City there are at least
500 seniors on waiting lists for home-delivered meals and this number
promises only to grow. In Buffalo, there are 130 seniors waiting for
home-delivered meals. In Rockland County, there are 30-60 seniors
waiting at any given time. We will continue to gather information on
waiting lists.
A fiscal impact analysis would need to be done. One year of
funding for meals-on-wheels is a fraction of the cost of being in a
hospital. Proper nutrition for older adults is critical to
maintaining one’s health. It is important to keep in mind that research
shows that seniors who are at nutritional risk are more likely to be
hospitalized and for longer periods of time as well as developing other
illnesses. Investing in the Meals-on-Wheels Enhanced Initiative is a
prudent financial investment on the part of the state as it would save
substantial health care dollars.
A study done by the state DOH and SOFA in the 1990’s, the last time such
a surveillance study was done, reported that 70% of older New Yorkers
who are eligible for MOW were not receiving them. As the number of
seniors grow, the 85+ population increases and poverty among the elderly
is more widespread, it is evident that homebound elderly New Yorkers
need to be able to rely on home-delivered meals.
We look forward to working with the administration and legislative
leaders to establish the right to meals-on-wheels for elderly New
Yorkers. This will go a long way to ensuring that New York State is a
good place to grow old in – seniors aging in place in their communities
with dignity.
For further information, please contact Bobbie Sackman, Director of
Public Policy,
(212) 398-6565, x226,
bsackman@cscs-ny.org or Miriam Burns, Public Policy Associate, x235,
mburns@cscs-ny.org
