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 Horizons Meals on Wheels is the largest community based program providing meals to homebound elderly, handicapped, and convalescent individuals in Linn, Benton, and Jones counties. Our menus are designed to help meet the dietary requirements by providing one - third of the nutrients per meal needed daily.
Meth-Wick Manor originally initiated the program in Cedar Rapids in 1964. At that time 16 clients participated. Today with funding from the Older American's Act Title III C, United Way, Linn County and Medicaid Waiver programs, Horizons Meals on Wheels has expanded to serve 250,000 hot meals annually. It is anticipated that within the next two years the program will provide more than 300,000 hot meals to homebound elderly in our communites each year.
Not only does the program provide hot meal service but in 1995 the Frozen Meals program was initiated and now provides more than 21,000 frozen meals annually. In 1998 the Breakfast Bag program was created and now provides almost 7,000 bags, 56,000 individual meals annually to our participants.
In the summer of 2005, Horizons Meals on Wheels delivered an additional 1,340 breakfast bags to underprivileged children in our community. This program was funded through a generous grant provided by General Mills. In
2003 the Senior Helpings program was begun which made it possible for those who live in a rural Linn, Jones, and Benton counties to receive hot meals, breakfast bags, and frozen meals.
Although the primary purpose of the Horizons Meals on Wheels program is to improve nutritional status and prevent malnutrition, additional benefits are derived from the program. Our more than 200 volunteers provide emotional and social support to all participants. This support is critical in assisting seniors to live independently in their own homes.
Some Facts on Home-Delivered Meals and Health Care Costs Savings:
It has been estimated that 85% of older Americans have chronic diseases that could be helped by better nutrition.
Hospital care costs for malnourished elderly patients are four times greater than costs for patients who are properly nourished. An average hospital cost for well-nourished patients is about $2,500, while an average cost for malnourished patients is over $10,000.
The average length of a hospital stay for undernourished elderly patients is nearly twice that of well-nourished patients. (20 days vs. 11 days)
From the report, "Malnutrition in the Elderly: A National Crisis"
NUTRITION PROGRAMS
Program Evaluation / Effectiveness
A comprehensive national evaluation of the Elderly Nutrition Program 1993-1995 produced key findings:
- The programs serve who they are supposed to serve
- They link effectively with larger systems of health and long term care.
- The meals are nutritionally significant to the older adults who receive them.
- The program is operated in a cost-effective manner.
- They successfully leverage federal funds appropriated with local dollars.
Why it's important
Nutrition program services are the foundation services of home and community-based care for older adults and their families
Studies show five of the top six chronic health conditions may be prevented, delayed or managed through improved nutrition services
About 50% of older adults in hospitals and nursing homes are malnourished and may be discharged malnourished back into the community
The cost of a one year supply of home delivered meals equals about the cost of one day in the hospital
Local dollars leverage state and federal funds
Seniors in poor nutritional status are more likely to need home care or be institutionalized, especially when community nutrition services such as meal programs and shopping assistance are not used or available
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