March is National Nutrition Month — a time to increase awareness of good nutrition and a healthful eating plan. Good nutrition promotes good health and helps to prevent and manage many diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure. Unfortunately, for millions of older adults across the United States, there is often a tradeoff between a healthy meal and medical bills, prescriptions, utilities, transportation and family care. With such a rapidly growing older adult population and the high prevalence of chronic conditions among older adults, the urgency for consistent access to healthy meals is a grave understatement!
In Denton County, Texas, 16 percent of the population is food insecure (compared to the state rate of 15.4 percent), many of which are older adults, but a partnership between Lewisville Parks and Recreation and Meals on Wheels of Denton County (WOMDC) has been working to change this narrative for Lewisville’s older adult residents. Through this partnership, adults 60+ are able to participate in the county’s Special Program for Aging Needs (SPAN) congregate and home-delivered nutrition services programs. As part of the congregate program, at least 10 older adults congregate at the Lewisville Senior Activity Center each day for meals served Mondays-Fridays to receive their healthy meals. The center also acts a hub for deliveries for home-bound seniors who receive healthy meal deliveries five days per week — which on Fridays, also includes meals for the weekend. Over the last year, we have served 2,400 meals to older adults in the congregate setting and 18,600 meals to home-bound older adults.
I like to think that we provide much more than a meal for our older adult residents. In addition to providing healthy meals, our center provides our participants with opportunities to socialize with their peers, receive benefits counseling, nutrition education and participate in a host of physical activity programs.
According to Richard and Sandra who have been attending our congregate meal program for the past several months, “We enjoy the meals and the chance to socialize. The meals are always very nutritious. We will continue to enjoy these meals as long and often as we can! This is a great program!!”
Lewisville strongly believes in our department’s ability to help older adults age well and supports NRPA’s Healthy Aging in Parks Initiative in efforts to improve and maintain the health and wellness of older adults through parks and recreation.
In the spirit of National Nutrition Month, the Administration for Community Living (ACL) is encouraging meal providers funded by Title IIIC of Older Americans’ Act to showcase your best looking plate using the hashtag #bestlookingplate. What is your #bestlookingplate?
Erika Tang is a Recreation Manager at Lewisville Parks and Recreation.