ElderCare of Alachua County Senior Hunger Facts 1 in 12 seniors is threatened by hunger 4.8 million seniors face the threat of hunger in 2010 The senior food insecurity rate has more than doubled since 2001 The threat of hunger for seniors has increased in 44 states since 2007

ElderCare of Alachua County Senior Hunger Facts Meals on Wheels –85% of clients say MOW’s helps them eat healthier –87% of clients say MOW’s helps improve their health –91% of clients say that MOW’s helps them feel more secure –93% of clients say that MOW’s means that they can continue to live in their homes Data taken from National Survey of OAA program participants conducted by the US Administration on Aging.

ElderCare of Alachua County The causes of senior hunger Age- A young senior (60-64)is a greater risk to be food insecure than is a senior at or above the age of 65 Living at or below the poverty level A high school dropout Divorced or separated, or living with a grandchild. Renters. Those that live in a southern state

ElderCare of Alachua County The consequences of senior hunger Significantly more likely to have lower intakes of energy foods and major vitamins. This holds across all the nutrient intake measures we considered. The effects are very strong. Significantly more likely to be in poor or fair health. In comparisons of excellent or very good health versus good, fair, or poor health and comparisons of excellent, very good, or good health versus fair or poor health, we find a strong effect of marginal food insecurity. More likely to have limitations in activities of daily living (ADL). Marginally food insecure are much more likely than fully food secure seniors to have ADL limitations. A senior at risk of hunger has the same chance of an ADL limitation as someone 14 years older. That is, there is in effect a large disparity between actual chronological and “physical” age, so that a 64 year old senior suffering from hunger is likely to have the ADL limitations of a 78 year old.

ElderCare of Alachua County Within the aging population the “oldest old” (85 years and older), is projected to be the fastest growing subgroup well into the next century While only 9 % of elders between the ages of 65 and 69 require assistance with activities of daily living this number swells to over 50% of the 85 and older population

ElderCare of Alachua County 2013 Alachua County Statistics 43,558 seniors age 60+ –Increase of 1500 over last year –16.9 % of the total population – % – % 10,865 live alone 10,940 are medically underserved 5,550 with income below 125 percent of poverty level

ElderCare of Alachua County Senior Meal Program

ElderCare of Alachua County Program Description Home Delivered Meals ECAC delivered over 450 seniors age 60 last year (both homebound and congregate). Monday through Friday between 10:30 am and 2:30 pm Social interaction and well-being check Nutrition education provided on monthly basis by a licensed dietician

ElderCare of Alachua County Program Description Thelma Boltin Site Meals served by Meal Site Manager and Volunteers Nutrition education provided on monthly basis by a licensed dietician Social interaction with peers and community members Health Screenings Educational Programs Exercise/Recreational Programs Arts and Crafts Recently ECAC has had to start a wait list for all congregate sites

ElderCare of Alachua County The future of senior hunger In 2025, an estimated 9.5 million senior Americans will experience some form of food insecurity, about 75% higher than the number in In 2025, an estimated 3.9 million senior Americans will be at-risk of hunger. In 2025, an estimated 1 million senior Americans will suffer from hunger.