Community centers that provide free and/or low cost meals several days a week are congregate meal programs. For the seniors that can get out to the centers, these meal programs provide socialization and activities.
Home delivered meals are meals that are brought to your home by a volunteer or Meals on Wheels program. These programs are for seniors who cannot leave their homes.
There are many reasons to participate in a congregate or home delivered meal program:
- The food is often nutritionally balanced and tastes good!
- It provides social interaction with other people.
- For homebound seniors, it provides a safety check by the volunteer who delivers the meal.
- It can be a life-saver for someone who lives alone and has no family or friends nearby.
If you are interested in finding a congregate meal program near you, contact your local Area Agency on Aging. If you are a senior who is homebound, contact your local Meals on Wheels program.
What Are Congregate Meals And Why Can They Be Beneficial?
For many seniors, congregate meals offer an important source of socialization. These programs provide a time and place for seniors to gather together to eat a meal and often participate in activities.
For some seniors who live alone, these programs may be their only opportunity to interact with other people on a daily basis.
In addition to the social benefits, congregate meals can also provide important nutritional benefits.
Seniors who participate in these programs often have better diets than those who do not because the meals are typically well-balanced and nutritious.
In some cases, congregate meal programs may even offer special dietary options for seniors with health concerns such as diabetes or heart disease.
If you are a senior citizen who is interested in finding a congregate meal program near you, contact your local Area Agency on Aging.
You can also search for programs online using the Eldercare Locator tool from the Administration on Community Living.
How Do You Qualify For Meals On Wheels?
There are a few different ways that you can qualify for Meals on Wheels. The most common way is to be over the age of 60, but there are other ways to qualify as well.
If you are disabled or have a chronic illness, you may also be eligible for Meals on Wheels. You can also qualify if you are a caregiver for someone who is eligible.
To find out if you qualify, you can contact your local Meals on Wheels program or the National Meals on Wheels Association. You will need to provide some information about your income and household size to see if you qualify.
You may also be asked to provide proof of your eligibility.
If you qualify, you will be able to receive meals at a reduced cost or for free. Meals on Wheels programs are typically run by volunteers, so there may be a waiting list.
However, you should not let this deter you from applying if you need the assistance.
If you have any questions about qualifying for Meals on Wheels, or if you need help finding a program in your area, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We are here to help!
Meal Delivery Services For Seniors
Besides Meals on Wheels, there are other companies that deliver meals to seniors. Some of these services are government-funded, while others are privately owned and operated.
2. Freshly
3. Home Chef
4. Mom’s Meals
5. Blue Apron
6. Hello Fresh
9. Snap Kitchen
10. Magic Kitchen
11. Sunbasket
