Hunger among seniors in America is a huge problem. Before COVID-19, over five million seniors were food insecure or on the cusp of it. Unfortunately, many other aging loved ones are also threatened by hunger, and those numbers are escalating every day.
Hard to believe.
So, while we gather to feast with food, family, and friends this holiday season, let’s pause and take a minute to understand better why we need to help our food-insecure seniors.
According to 20201 statistics from mealsonwheelsamerica.org, one of the reasons hunger has risen is because people are living longer. Today, the average life expectancy is at a record high of 79 years. But, unfortunately, our nation’s senior population is also growing exponentially, outpacing the resources available to serve vulnerable older adults, putting their health and well-being in jeopardy.
It’s also important to remember that as people get older, even the most independent seniors may experience physical declines or financial hardship that strips away their independence. Add to that an increase in geographic mobility of families today
along with 1 in 4 seniors living alone, and you’ve got millions of at-risk seniors hungry, isolated, and in desperate need of support.
How Can the Community Help to Fight Hunger for Seniors?
The economic burden associated with malnutrition in seniors is 51 billion dollars, but we can help change these outcomes. How? By donating, volunteering, and reaching out to federal nutrition programs, food banks, health care organizations, your local faith-based
communities and us – Senior Resource Connectors.
Our goal is to help seniors, their caregivers, and family members find the resources they need to navigate the challenges associated with an aging loved one’s current life journey, including becoming vulnerable and food insecure. No one should go hungry.
Let’s join forces together and do our best to help seniors stay healthy, well, and fed. But, as we all know, life can change on a dime. So let us all be grateful for the many blessings we have at this moment. Right now. Today.
In gratitude,
Heidi
