Nutrition for Older Adults in Missouri

Proper nutrition is crucial to older adults because it helps them: 

1. Maintain muscle strength 
2. Boost the immune system 
3. Support brain function 
4. Improve digestion 

In Missouri there are 1,466,324 adults who are age 60 or older. There are 180,428 seniors threatened by or experiencing hunger,  and 136,134 living below poverty level.  

Nutrition services are intended to reduce hunger, food insecurity,  and malnutrition; promote socialization among older people; and  delay the onset of adverse health conditions among older people,  resulting from poor nutritional health or sedentary behavior. 

In Missouri, meals are available to seniors through many senior  centers. Those eligible for nutrition services are: Missourians 60 or  older, a spouse 60 or older, or adults with disabilities in certain  situations.  

Nutrition services include congregate meals and home delivered  meals. Congregate meals are meals provided by a qualified  nutrition project provider to a qualified individual in a congregate or  group setting. Home-delivered meals are meals provided to a  qualified individual in his/her place of residence. Home delivered  meals may be hot or frozen. 

Senior center meals provide a hot noon meal and time to gather  with friends for social activities, conversation and fun. There is  usually a suggested contribution amount to help cover the cost of  the meal. Contributions are just that…contributions. Nutritional  meals are not denied to individuals based on their ability to pay.  Contributions are encouraged, as it helps ensure the program can  continue to serve those in need, but no one is turned away if they  can’t afford to contribute.  

Meal sites receive some federal funding. However, they must rely on  donations from the public to keep their doors open. This is  especially true at the present time, with inflation and budget cuts.  Distribution sites are seeing a large increase in those needing  meals, and less money coming in. Many sites are running out of  funding before the end of the fiscal year.  

The Missouri Coalition for Quality Care sends donations to 10 meal  sites twice per year. Since 2016, we have contributed $8,100.00 to  meal programs throughout the state.  

If possible, we encourage you to make a contribution to your local  senior center to help with their meal programs. The need is critical  at this time. 

For information about where to make a donation, or to find a meal  site near you, you can contact the Missouri Association of Area  Agencies on Aging, PO Box 104296, Jefferson City, MO 65110, or  call 1-800-748-7826.