REASONS OLDER ADULTS START ATTENDING CONGREGATE MEAL PROGRAMS AND WHO ATTENDS FOR SOCIALIZATION

Abstract

Abstract The Older Americans Act Nutrition Services Program’s congregate meals support food security and nutrition, promote socialization, and improve quality of life. Understanding what drives people to first attend a congregate meal program may support efforts to increase involvement. This study used the 2019 National Survey of Older Americans Act Participants to analyze the open-ended survey responses of congregate meal participants (N=1,072) on why they started attending the program. The top three reasons were that they sought socialization (36.3%), had a medical or age-related need (18.7%), or accompanied or were referred by a friend or relative (12.3%). We conducted descriptive analyses on differences in the demographic, socioeconomic, and health characteristics of those attending for socialization compared to others. Results indicated a relationship between attending congregate meals for socialization and several characteristics: these individuals are more often non-Hispanic white (p< 0.05), widowed (p< 0.05), aged 75 to 84 (p< 0.05), and have at least a high school education (p< 0.01). People who attend for socialization are also less likely to be lower income (p< 0.01), living in cities (p< 0.001), have food insecurity (p< 0.01), and living with three or more ADLs (p< 0.01). Findings suggest two subpopulations of congregate meal attendees: those who have the choice to attend and do so for socialization, and those who attend because of unmet needs (e.g., food insecurity or disability). Identification of different categories of participants and what drives them to attend congregate meal sites has implications for improvements to advertising congregate meal services, targeting of certain populations, and ultimately to increasing participation.