Community Agency Partnerships Result in Innovative, Cost-Effective Senior Dining Program

Abstract

By creating a partnership between a Title III Congregate Senior Dining Program (SDP) and a community hospital, a cost-effective weekend meal program was implemented to reach more seniors at nutritional risk. Previously, seniors were only offered congregate dining on weekdays at a senior center. It was impossible to expand services to weekends due to facility and personnel restraints. The hospital cafeteria, which has a lower customer volume on weekends, provided an excellent opportunity for expansion. Now, seniors come to the hospital cafeteria and choose from a select menu on the serving line. As this weekend meal service gained popularity, a sub-population was identified who was unable to utilize the hospital cafeteria because of transportation problems. Through further collaborations, including Public Health Nursing, a local taxi company and the Housing Authority, services were extended to a local senior apartment building. Meals are prepared at the hospital and transported by the taxi company. The participants of this innovative “home-delivery” program eat their meals in the community room to maintain the social benefits of congregate eating. During 1997, 1,353 meals were provided in the hospital cafeteria (April-December) and 569 meals at the senior apartment building (October-December), representing an 11% increase in total meals served to this community compared with the previous year. The SDP realized a 24% total meal cost savings and the weekend cafeteria volume increased 52%. Additionally, 73 new seniors enrolled in the program, 33% of whom were identified at increased nutritional risk. Community agency partnerships are vital to effectively meet senior nutrition needs and maintain efficient use of resources.