National Nutrition Month
Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Older Americans Act Elderly Nutrition Program
As part of National Nutrition Month, the Administration on Aging (AoA) joins the national aging services network in celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Older Americans Act (OAA) Nutrition Program.
As you well know, millions of older adults suffer from hunger, malnutrition, and food insecurity. For many, the meal they receive from the OAA Nutrition Program is their only meal of the day. Hunger does not discriminate; it targets individuals of all racial and ethnic backgrounds and socio-economic levels. In 2010, the United States Department of Agriculture found that about 4.6 million older adults experienced some form of food insecurity. Also in 2010, an AoA survey of program participants found that twelve percent of home-delivered meal recipients and six percent of congregate meal participants had to choose between buying food and paying for their rent or utilities.
Since the program's implementation in 1972, eight billion meals have been served to older Americans, helping them to eat more healthfully and allowing them to remain active in their homes and communities. The OAA Nutrition Program provides the opportunity for individuals to socialize with their friends, volunteer to help others, and check on their neighbors to see if they are okay.
Read Assistant Secretary for Aging Kathy Greenlee's message on the 40th Anniversary of the OAA Nutrition Program.
Learn more about the AoA Nutrition Program
Add AoA's healthy aging widget to your website by clicking the "share" button on the widget.
Download materials from the AoA-sponsored Resource Center on Nutrition, Physical Activity, & Aging at Florida International University. (Source: AoA News and Info, March 5, 2012)
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State Nutrition Update
As you know, Amy Ramsey has left her position as the state dietitian for the Elderly Nutrition Program and taken a new job with Aviands as a registered dietician (RD). We all wish her well in her new endeavor. The state is actively recruiting for this position. Watch for details.
Gail Schwersenska, Office on Aging Director at the Bureau of Aging & Disability Resources (BADR), sent out an announcement seeking participants for a new taskforce to modernize the Elderly Nutrition Program in Wisconsin. Applications are due March 23, 2012. Representatives will be selected, notified, and the first meeting held in June. If you are interested in being the WAND representative, please complete this form and return to Leslie Fijalkiewicz or Gayle Mason as soon as possible. In addition, if you know of a dynamic senior to add to this taskforce, please have them complete and submit the application by March 23, 2012. Learn more
The taskforce, comprised of local citizens and professionals in the Aging Network, is charged with:
- Finding new ways of reducing hunger and food insecurity.
- Promoting socialization, health, and well-being of seniors in Wisconsin.
- Exploring what is working and what is not in the current service delivery system.
- Developing recommendations for strengthening the current system.
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Best Practices in the ENP
Ashland County:
Increasing Participation by Providing Food That Customers Enjoy
Achieving and maintaining a high level of participation is a primary objective of the Ashland County Aging Unit's (ACAU) elderly nutrition program (ENP). To this end, providing nutritious, high quality, diverse and tasty meals which older adults and baby boomers enjoy eating has been the most effective outreach effort to bring in the target population, improve customer satisfaction, promote healthy eating and improve the health of those they are serving. This effort is reflected in the numerous, diverse menus now being used by Ashland County's ENP and is one of the key factors for recent positive growth in the congregate meal program, including significant participation by baby boomers. Read more
View March 2012 Menu
For more information, contact Deb Martineau, Ashland County Aging Unit Director at (715) 682-4414, Extension 4.
 Pepin County: Taking the Show on the Road
Pepin County started taking its noon congregate meals program 'On The Road' this past December. Participants from congregate sites in Pepin and Durand were gathered up on December 14, 2011, and taken to a third location in the town of Arkansaw. All were gathered together into one big group in order to enjoy a great lunch, special holiday festivities, and a few special surprises. Read more
Want more information? Contact Dave Rynders, Aging Manager Pepin County Department of Human Services, at (715) 672-8941, Extension 130.
Sheboygan County: Meal Gift Certificates and Coupons
Sheboygan County has introduced new meal gift certificates to help with outreach and promotion for the Elderly Nutrition Program. Take a look at the design: Good For One Meal and Free Meal Coupon |
ENP Resources
Bone Health Resources from Yoplait
Please visit this website to download a variety of nutrition education fact sheets you can use to educate seniors and their caregivers on the importance of bone health and how to get more calcium and Vitamin D in their diets.
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ENP Programming and Information
Because nutrition programs offer more than just a meal, here are some other facts and resources that may be useful to you.
Profile for Older Americans: 2011
This link has some nice statistics and highlights from the AoA's report.
Emergency Preparedness
Because emergency preparedness is a concern for all who support older people, find information and resources from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPF) that can help you plan for responding and recovering from a disaster.
Evidence-Based Prevention Program Leader Trainings
As you may know, Title III-D prevention funding will soon be tied to evidence-based (EB) programming. If you haven't already, make plans now to offer more EB classes in your community. There are several places to find trainings. The Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging offers leader trainings for the Stepping On Falls Prevention Program and the Living Well Chronic Disease Self-Management Program. In addition, the Arthritis Foundation is offering leader training for Tai Chi & Self-Defense, Walk with Ease, and their Aquatic program. Consider taking a training and partnering with your local ADRCs or aging offices to offier an evidence-based workshops. Get more information: Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging, Stepping On , Living Well, or Arthritis Foundation
May is Older American's Month
This year's theme is Never Too Old To Play! Visit the Adminstration on Aging (AoA) website for programming ideas.
Fraudulent Sales Pitches Targeting Satellite Television Customers
Please see this press release and alert those who participate in the ENP.
Caring for the Caregiver
Family caregivers often face physical, financial, and emotional challenges that make it difficult to continue in the role of caregiver. Finding help and support can make all the difference. If you know a caregiver that could use some help, direct them to the wisconsincaregiver.org website where they can find information and links to their local National Family Caregiver Support Program. |
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We hope you find this newsletter helpful. Let us know.
Sincerely,
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In the News
If your ENP is in the news, please let us know so we can highlight your excellent work too! We apologize for missing some of the articles that were shared on the list serves recently. Great job getting the word out about what the program offers and does for seniors, their caregivers, and the volunteers who are part of the program.
St. Croix County
in the News
The numbers are in! Over 49,000 meals were provided through the Senior Nutrition Program of St. Croix County in 2011. That tops 2010 by nearly 2,000 meals!
Read the article
Brown County
on YouTube
The ADRC of Brown County worked with Cliff Wall Subaru dealership in Green Bay to create a video to promote the local Meals on Wheels Program and to raise money for the Home Bound Meal Program. This was part of the local "Share the Love" campaign which ended on January 3, 2012. The ADRC will receive a portion of the proceeds from Subaru sales over the past month. Instumental in the success of this initative was program volunteer Ron Poister. Ron was a tremendous help and was very active in creating this video.
Check it out |
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As you know, the Wisconsin Association of Nutrition Directors (WAND) is looking for photos or images to be used in creating the 40th Anniversary Elderly Nutrtion Program poster. We have gotten in some great photos thus far, but there is still time to submit photos. The deadline has been extended to April 30, 2012, so please spread the word and encourage people to submit a photo and tagline.
Poster Contest Submission Form
All photos submitted will be reviewed at the WAND Association meeting on May 17. The top six will be selected andposted on the GWAAR website for the general public to vote on their favorite. Photos will be e-mailed out to all aging units with a paper voting ballot. Final votes will be tallied on July 15 and the top three winners will be announced on July 30. The winners will be invited to GWAAR's Aging Network Conference -- September 20 - 21 in Wisconsin Dells -- to be recognized at the awards luncheon. More details will follow soon. |
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What's On Your Plate? |
Making wise decisions about what you eat as you get older is important. Smart Choices for Healthy Aging is a free 80-page guide to healthy eating, written especially for older adults. It describes what you need to know about food groups, serving sizes, food labels, and more. We highly recommend it!
Download or order your copy |
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Free Samples |
Who doesn't like free stuff? Get a free sample of Excel brand mashed Sweet Potato Pearls and up to four other Basic American Foods products.
Get your samples here |
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