Issues of food inequity and insecurity are concerns for all working-class Americans, young and old. For seniors struggling to make ends meet, those living alone, or those dealing with the mental, physical and social issues often associated with age, the worries of where one’s next healthy meal will come from is a very real and ongoing dilemma.
InnovAge Pennsylvania modern eldercare’s LIFE program (Living Independence for the Elderly)—dedicated to aiding seniors maintain the warmth and familiarity of home, with a sense of community and dignity—provides its seniors with healthy meals and nutritional service. In need of support, emotional, physical or financial, the senior meal/nutrition assistance is all part of InnovAge’s multi-layered, comprehensive medical and social support program.
“The PACE program is an all-inclusive program for the elderly, with InnovAge as their healthcare provider and insurance company… with diet being a large part of this care,” said Henry Avenue Center dietitian Mary McHale of the medical, psychological and social issues concerning elders. “With a goal of keeping our senior participants as independent as possible, in their home as long as it is safe…. participants without great family support systems struggle when it comes to food. Some are not physically able to stand up and cook or go to the store. Some may be at the beginning stages of dementia and it’s not safe for them to use their ovens. Some are just too tired to cook. Others cannot afford or struggle to afford food, and have health issues such as diabetes and high blood pressure, even modified consistency diets where they have dysphasia, and can’t swallow safely…. We’re here to help seniors age in place.”
InnovAge PACE provides meals for participants at centers, typically a light breakfast and lunch. And, in partnership with the Philadelphia Corporation on Aging (PCA), puts its participants on the Meals on Wheels plan, along with additional food programs to help seniors. Through its activities department, InnovAge hosts shopping trips for the elderly in order to buy food, vitamins and necessary supplements in its centers — along with offering free, healthy, balanced meals in public social settings for nutrition for the body and the spirit. InnovAge offers computer assistance for its participants to order groceries and goods online. With the federal government having cut back on food stamp programs and social services, InnovAge has programs for those at nutritional risk to help pay for their dietary care.
“What we do, often, at InnovAge helps ease any financial burden,” stated McHale.
Theresa Woodall has been an enrolled senior participant at the InnovAge Pennsylvania LIFE Henry Avenue Center for about three years, and appreciates the quality care and support she’s been getting. And Woodall would know quality care and senior dining: she manages a local Philly food bank.
“I help to manage a local food bank, and used to have a soup kitchen as well, but it’s been shut down since COVID,” said Woodall. “I go there every Wednesdays to make sure they have enough food for the community. They say there have been more people at the bank because of the cuts to food stamps, so the need is even greater.”
More frankly, Woodall puts the dietary and emotional needs of seniors in perspective.
“Everybody needs a helping hand. Not everyone has it good. And God has blessed me so much in my life, that I want to be a blessing to somebody else. I believe I was put on this Earth to help others and make sure everybody has something to eat or to wear. I think my job on this Earth is to make sure everybody is OK. If they are OK, then I am OK.”
Currently the Participant Council President at InnovAge’s Henry Avenue Center, Woodall is part of the decision-making process for her fellow independent minded elders. “Everybody looks out for one another,” she said. “I’m always checking up on folks to make sure they have what they need. Aside from getting meals here, the staff often give participants other things to help them get by, such as boxes of Ensure and extra food to take home.
“InnovAge LIFE is very good program,” she said. “This is a great place to be. We are family here.”
For more information, visit innovage.com
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