Senior Community Centers

Nutrition

 

Senior Community Centers is a strong advocate for increased funding for senior nutrition. When nutrition service providers are able to eliminate problems of food access, seniors suffering from disease-related poverty and health care inequities are able to attain a level of nutrition that further serves to maintain or improve their health as well as their independence. They also have more expendable income to put towards medication and consistent medical care that helps maintain and improve health while avoiding costly emergency situations.

Each year, the U.S. government spends billions of dollars treating late-stage disease through Medicaid and Medicare. Growing evidence indicates, however, that some medical treatments are ineffective without adequate nutritional support, while others could be avoided or minimized through proper nutrition. Malnutrition is a growing problem among the elderly, leading to increased incidence of chronic disease, premature institutionalization, and even death.

Senior Community Centers, along with state and national nutrition partnerships like NANASP (National Assn. of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs) are strong supporters of the theory that spending a little on nutrition on the front end can save millions of dollars on the back end in future health care costs.

• Other Nutrition Advocacy Efforts