Elderly Support Services Provides Nourishment and Nurturing for Oklahoma's Elderly

OKLAHOMA CAPITOL --Nearly 4.4 million meals were provided in fiscal year 1999 to elderly Oklahomans through the 11 Area Agencies on Aging Nutrition and Supportive Services programs. For many of these Oklahomans, it’s the best and only meal they eat all day.
With such success, lack of funding and an increasing elderly population there are still nearly 1000 elderly Oklahomans who are on waiting lists for hot meals, a kind word and some companionship.

The Area Agencies on Aging oversee 24 nutrition projects that provide congregate and home-delivered meals at 274 sites statewide. Sites are supported through federal and state funds allocated by the Department of Human Services Aging Services Division, as well as participant and community donations. These sites serve as the center of many elderly Oklahomans lives.

The meals meet one-third of the recommended dietary allowance of essential nutrients and are available Monday through Friday, 250 days a year. This service is targeted to older persons with the greatest economic or social needs. Those who receive home-delivered meals must be homebound, according to standards set by the Older Americans Act. Meals are provided at no cost to participants age 60 or older and donations are accepted.

"We know the meals are important and nutrition plays a vital role in the overall health of these citizens, but we also believe in the importance of socialization," said Susan Tyler, OKDHS Aging Services Programs Manager. "The nutrition centers provide an opportunity to exercise, volunteer to help others and share a conversation with a friend. This program also helps our state’s growing elderly population to stay healthy and independent longer."

The nutrition centers offer access to other services to support the elderly. Each of the Area Agencies on Aging offer outreach services that identify elderly persons in need of assistance. These outreach workers serve as liaisons between the elderly and beneficial services.

Those who receive home-delivered meals may also qualify for homemaker and chore services. These services provide assistance with self-care activities, shopping, preparing meals and house and yard work. Transportation is also provided to help elderly Oklahomans maintain their link with the community. They are given rides to nutrition sites, doctor’s appointments, grocery stores and social events.

Elderly Oklahomans can receive information on free legal advice, counseling and representation by contacting their outreach worker or their local Area Agency on Aging. These services are provided by Legal Aid of Western Oklahoma, Legal Services of Eastern Oklahoma and the University of Tulsa.

"The problems we’ve faced include failure of Congress to reauthorize the Older Americans Act for the past several years and lack of funding increases sufficient to keep up with rising costs," said Tyler. "It has become increasingly difficult to find ways to deliver meals to homebound persons. We have a real need for volunteers, especially in areas with large elderly populations or where the population is geographically spread out."

If you would like to know more about these services, the location of your local nutrition center or to volunteer, please call the statewide Senior Information Line at 1-800-211-2116. Or, log on to www.okdhs.org.

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