Lack of proper nutrition can cause a snowball effect of challenges for those 60 and older, yet according to National Council on Aging, one in every six older adults cannot meet their nutritional needs.
National Nutrition Month in March is an opportunity to evaluate the important role diet plays in the lives of older adults, the challenges of trying to eat healthy, and the nutrients that are most important to maintaining good health.
Certain nutrients acquired through diet become more essential for individuals as they age and play a vital role in maintaining a healthy independent lifestyle. Calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B-12, potassium, and fiber are all crucial elements to the health of older adults, and individuals over the age of 60 should be regularly eating foods that are rich in these nutrients. This can help reduce issues with bone health, blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, and heart health.
National Nutrition Month in March is an opportunity to evaluate the important role diet plays in the lives of older adults, the challenges of trying to eat healthy, and the nutrients that are most important to maintaining good health.
When older adults face food insecurities, or lack access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food, their health can decline. This increases their risk for falls due to vitamin deficiencies, weakened immune systems, and chronic health conditions.
According to the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), older adults face a healthcare bill of more than $130 billion every year for medical issues related to food insecurities.
Food insecurities among the senior population can stem from many factors, including lack of mobility (trouble getting to and from the grocery store or the ability to cook a meal), inadequate knowledge about what a proper nutritious meal looks like, or limited resources to purchase the nutritious food they need to stay healthy. According to Feeding America, 60% of older adults are forced to choose between paying for food or utilities.
“That’s a decision nobody should ever have to make,” said Sandee Golden, Jewish Family Service Food Pantry and Volunteer Manager. “Often seniors are unaware of community resources that offer assistance, and that’s where AgeWell Cincinnati can help.”
AgeWell Cincinnati is designed to help older adults locate these services, eliminating the confusion in figuring out which agency can best provide for their needs. Through AgeWell Cincinnati, seniors may be connected with Jewish Family Service, which offers a full array of kosher and non-kosher food, fresh produce, and personal and household care items at their Heldman Family Food Pantry.
AgeWell Cincinnati is designed to help older adults locate these services, eliminating the confusion in figuring out which agency can best provide for their needs.
“To help our clients follow a healthy diet, the shelves in our food pantry have been organized to highlight foods most friendly to manage conditions such as diabetes and heart disease,” Golden said. “This is especially beneficial to older adults who are at a higher risk for certain health conditions. The green labeled shelves make finding the healthiest options faster and easier for everyone.”
In addition, Jewish Family Service can help manage the paperwork for seniors who qualify for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). SNAP is a federal program designed to provide a monthly debit card benefit that low-income families can use at the grocery store and some farmer’s markets to purchase food. According to SNAP, 3 out of 5 seniors who qualify do not participate in their services, leaving 5.2 million people missing out on benefits—the lowest participation rate of any demographic group.
According to that SNAP statistic, older adults tend to stay silent about their lack of access to nutritious meals. AgeWell Cincinnati can be their voice this month and help older adults take the right steps toward living a healthier lifestyle.