As it continues to grow with clients, there is a greater need for the center. Not only does it provide social interaction but also nutrition program that ensures clients will get a fresh meal for lunch. I enjoy seeing all the benefits of this program and all the positive aspects involved in making our community come together to serve the elderly.
Overview of the Organization
The Kennett Nutrition Program has been serving the community of Dunklin County for over 40 years. The organization is run by the Southeast Missouri Area on Aging, Aging Matters program. Aging Matters is a not for profit organization that serves 18 counties in the state of Missouri. The goal of the program is to “provide quality services to enhance the health, safety, and well-being of persons, age 60 and over, enabling them to live in their own home for as long and independent as possible” (Aging Matters, 2014). The nutrition center is in the Kennett Housing Authority building and ran by administrator, Laura Ford. The facility is open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. with lunch being served from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. This scheduled activities and programs include bingo, blood pressure and blood sugar screenings, exercise, tax assistance, physician day, music and dancing, birthday …show more content…
The nutrition programs consist of three parts center dining, home delivered meals, and distance dining. Center dining provides a nutritional lunch for those 60 years plus or married to someone 60 years plus. Along with the lunch at the facility, clients can also participate in the daily activities going on at the center. Home delivered meals, also known as meals on wheels are available to people 60 years plus and those married to individuals 60 years plus who are not physically or mentally able to visit the local center and have transportation issues. Of the 18 counties served, eight counties receive home delivered meals. Distance dining meals are available to clients aged 63 and up who are Medicaid eligible and authorized for the meal. The clients must live outside of the delivery area for meals on wheels. The client gets a 15-day supply of frozen meals sent by the Federal Express. “Adequate nutrition is critical to health, functioning, and quality of life for people of all ages. For elderly people nutrition can be especially important because of their vulnerability to health problems and physical and cognitive impairments” (Ponza, Ohls, Milem, McCool, Needels, Rosenburg & Daily, 1996). In-home services are available to clients aged 60 and up who