By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    benefits of using protein powder to build muscles
    Protein Powder for Muscle Mass: Everything You Need to Know
    December 12, 2021
    changes brought on by blockchain in healthcare
    Technology In The Healthcare Industry
    March 28, 2022
    What Does Core Body Temperature Say About Health?
    August 17, 2022
    Latest News
    Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
    May 16, 2025
    Learn how to Renew your Medical Card in West Virginia
    May 16, 2025
    Choosing the Right Supplement Manufacturer for Your Brand
    May 1, 2025
    Engineering Temporary Hospitals for Extreme Weather
    April 24, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    FDA Approves Diabetes Pill
    May 2, 2011
    Patient Gets Drunk on Hand Sanitizer
    June 20, 2011
    Cultivating Health Improvement
    July 20, 2011
    Latest News
    Building Smarter Care Teams: Aligning Roles, Structure, and Clinical Expertise
    May 18, 2025
    The Critical Role of Healthcare in Personal Injury Recovery: A Comprehensive Guide for Victims
    May 14, 2025
    The Backbone of Successful Trials: Clinical Data Management
    April 28, 2025
    Advancing Your Healthcare Career through Education and Specialization
    April 16, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Fight Senior Hunger Thanksgiving 2012
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Specialties > Geriatrics > Fight Senior Hunger Thanksgiving 2012
Geriatrics

Fight Senior Hunger Thanksgiving 2012

eCaring
Last updated: November 21, 2012 8:06 am
eCaring
Share
3 Min Read
SHARE

Right now, millions of older Americans are struggling to make ends meet. As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, we turn our attention to seniors who in addition to the burden of rising healthcare expenditures and daily living costs also face the risk of going hungry. While hunger is often pegged as an urban issue, food insecurity is a nationwide problem that affects seniors in the country’s cities, suburbs, and rural areas.

According to Feeding America, the nation’s leading domestic hunger-relief charity, 1 in 6 people face hunger in today’s society. In 2011, over 8% of households with seniors (2.5 million) were food insecure. The AARP Foundation’s 2011 Hunger Report found that 3.5 million adults age 50 or older faced hunger, while 24.4% were at risk of food insecurity.

More Read

Low Physical Activity in Today’s Youth May Mean Increased Dementia Rates in the Future
Poor Senior Oral Health: Why It Happens
Study Finds Nursing Homes Have Inadequate Care and Discharge Planning
Ageism In America: Questions & Answers
Five Fields In Healthcare That Are Quickly Growing

Older adults who are food insecure experience poor health outcomes, including increased functional limitation and mental health issues

Millions of aging Americans who live on fixed incomes must chose each day between eating or paying for other basic essentials. For the 8.7 percent of seniors (3.6 million older adults age 65 and older) who live below the poverty line, food insecurity is two to three times more likely than in the general population. Seniors who live in the South, live in multigenerational households, and those who are African-American or Hispanic are also more likely to be food insecure.

Protecting seniors from hunger can present unique challenges that can comprise seniors’ physical and mental wellbeing. Studies show that food insecure elderly persons present with nutrient deficiencies. Older adults with functional limitations or whom a lack access to transportation may have trouble procuring food items and preparing nutritious dishes.  Food insecurity undoubtedly affects clinical health outcomes: Food insecure seniors are twice as likely to be diabetic (19% vs 2%), are far less likely to be in excellent or very good health (17% vs 44%), and are over five times more likely to suffer from depression (16% vs 3%).

What can be done about food insecurity in the aging population?

There are a number of ways in which people can help out hungry seniors during the Thanksgiving holiday.

  • Donate to Feeding America, and for a limited time during the Thanksgiving holiday, Ameriprise Financial will match your contribution.
  • Take Meals on Wheels Association of America’s pledge to end senior hunger by 2020.
  • Follow the AARP Foundation’s work on senior hunger. Access food assistance program resources for clients and learn about AARP’s other hunger initiatives including Stamp Out Hunger and Drive to End Hunger.

 

 

TAGGED:senior hunger
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

Do You Grind Your Teeth at Night? Here’s How Night Guards and TMJ Treatments Can Help
Do You Grind Your Teeth at Night? Here’s How Night Guards and TMJ Treatments Can Help
Dental health
May 21, 2025
The Secret To A Confident Smile: Top Tips For Better Teeth
The Secret To A Confident Smile: Top Tips For Better Teeth
Dental health
May 21, 2025
Clinical Expertise
Building Smarter Care Teams: Aligning Roles, Structure, and Clinical Expertise
Health care
May 18, 2025
Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
Health
May 15, 2025

You Might also Like

1 in 7 Alzheimer’s Cases Could Be Prevented with Exercise

April 18, 2013

As Society Ages, the Potential for Elder Abuse Increases

January 28, 2013
Geriatrics

Oh, My Aching Joints

July 22, 2012
Image
Geriatrics

Cost & Caregiving Impact from Alzheimer’s Disease

April 1, 2013
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?