Food Bank of Iowa: Meeting the Need 2017 Tuesday, May 16 Breakout 2: Senior Food Insecurity in Iowa

Objectives: Identify two groups of seniors at greater risk for food insecurity List two health consequences of food insecurity in seniors List two programs addressing the needs with food insecure seniors

Did you know… 1 in 8 Iowa seniors face hunger each day Being food insecure can age you by 14 years Younger seniors are more likely to be food insecure than older seniors Seniors participate in SNAP (formerly called food stamps) at lower rates than other age groups 50% of diseases impacting seniors are connected to poor diets

There is a statewide coalition working to reduce senior hunger and food insecurity!

Food insecurity defined: when people do not consistently have access to sufficient, safe, nutritious food to maintain a healthy and active life

Incidence of Senior Food Insecurity Nationally – over 8% of senior population (about 3.7 million) National Academy Press, Nutrition across the Lifespan for Healthy Aging, 2016 Iowa – 7% of senior population (over 43,000) Sauer, J. (2013). 2013 Survey of Iowans 18+. AARP. Retrieved from: http://www.aarp.org/.

Iowa is Aging State Data Center of Iowa and the Iowa Department on Aging Older Iowans: 2010 http://www.aging.iowa.gov/Documents/Statistics/OlderIowans2010.pdf

Who is at greater risk? Blacks and Latinos Divorced and separated Households with grandparents and grandchildren Renters Unemployed and disabled Less educated Living alone

Aging Biomarkers – disease onset, progression, and severity Functional indicators – strength, balance Cognitive indicators – memory, processing speed, execution ALSO – senior’s personal perspective

Overall Impacts of Food Insecurity Diminishes independence Diminishes quality of life In 2013: Average life expectancy – 77 years old Healthy life expectancy – 67 years old National Academy Press, Nutrition across the Lifespan for Healthy Aging, 2016

Food Insecurity and Inadequate Nutrition Contribute to the following: Muscle loss (Sarcopenia) Memory loss Depression Fatigue Loss of ability to care for self Weak immune system Cardio vascular disease, CHF, high blood pressure Gum disease Adequate nutrition is even MORE important for older adults who may lack reserves Why are the last few slides important—because lack of nutrition causes a myriad of problems---many listed on this slide. Muscle loss causes falls, loss of ADLs and don’t forget swallowing can be compromised since this all relates to muscle strength Low vitamin B levels can lead to memory loss and according to a Finnish study low intakes of folate and vitamin B12 increase the risk of depressive symptoms. Overall lack of adequate calories leads to fatigue. The link between poor nutritional status and impaired immune function is well established plus lack of nutrition may lead to older adults developing metabolic syndrome and other serious conditions Adequate nutrition is even more important for older adults who may lack reserves.

Food Secure vs. Food Insecure Seniors Significantly lower intakes of: Vitamin A – vision and immunity Vitamin C – tissues and wound healing Thiamin – memory and mood Vitamin B6 – antibodies and protein use Calcium – bone strength Phosphorous – bones and energy use Magnesium – utilize food energy for tissues Iron – carries oxygen in blood; anemia

Senior Nutrition Services Area Agencies on Aging - Congregate meals -Home delivered meals Food Banks, Food Pantries

SNAP – WIN program Double up Bucks Farmer Market Nutrition Vouchers Iowa Department on Aging, LifeLong Links

Accessing Senior Programs Clients typically referred by family/friends Caregivers are in an important position to refer seniors needing assistance Congregate meal referrals through OAA information and assistance system Home Delivered commonly by hospitals, health care facilities and discharge planners

Programs to meet the need - A Senior who receives daily-delivered meals experiences the greatest improvements in health and quality of life compared to a senior who receives frozen, weekly-delivered meals or no meals at all. More Than A Meal: Pilot Research Study. Brown School of Public Health and Meals on Wheels America. March 2, 2015.

Iowa Home-Delivered Meal Program Outcomes SERVICE TYPE NUMBER OF CONSUMERS(SFY2015) All 50,777 Nutrition Program 37,283 Home Delivered Meal Participants 11,669 68% 75yrs+ 38% 85+ 66% female 58% at or below federal poverty 3% minority/ethnicity 58% at high nutrition risk (These percentages are higher for HD than for Cong participants)

Fresh Produce Box Program The Fresh Produce Box Program is one project that supports the broader work of the coalition. Funded through SNAP-Ed, Department of Public Health Produce Box coordinators in each AAA region Looking for fresh produce donations

Fresh Conversations Nutrition Education Program for Seniors in Partnership with Area Agencies on Aging

Fresh Conversations Materials and other Resources Visit the Fresh Conversations web page at the Iowa Department of Public Health website. Fresh Conversations For access to past issues of Fresh Conversations, contact Doris Montgomery 515.661.7913

Lifelong Links Statewide Resource to Locate Senior Services

Questions and Contact Information Iowa Department on Aging Carlene Russell, MS RDN LDN Carlene.russell@iowa.gov 515-725-3330 Iowa Department of Public Health Doris Montgomery, MS RDN LDN Doris.Montgomery@idph.iowa.gov 515.661.7913