Recent announcements from the White House seem to point that the future of Meals on Wheels is uncertain. The argument against federal funding for programs like Meals on Wheels is that the program doesn’t work.
Meal on Wheels is a food delivery service. Elderly individuals that are unable to get around easily have meals delivered to them. It is a way to ensure that elderly people that don’t have access to in-home care or have others around them that can help out are receiving basic nutrition. It was founded in the United States in the 1950s, and in 2016, it provided services to about 2.4 million people.
Most of the research available when it comes to meal delivery service shows that they do work. Not only do they provide nutrition that might be lacking and human contact, there is evidence that these programs improve the overall quality of life. However, there is not a lot of research that’s been done in this area. What research has been done has not been conducted at a high level of randomization. Unfortunately, a lot more time is needed here before accurate studies can be conducted. This does not mean that the programs do not work, though.
In reality, the amount of money that Meals on Wheels would lose would about $250,000, based on 2015 numbers. That totals up to about 3 percent of the charities budget per year. And that’s a good thing. Even if the grant money to Meals on Wheel disappears, the program’s future is still quite certain. This is a good thing for the individuals and families that utilize the program. And it is a good thing for the program itself. A valuable service is provided by Meals on Wheels, both to those that are under the care of an in-home care service and those who care for themselves or have a family caregiver.
We don’t know what will happen when it comes to federal policies, funding decisions, and beyond. Having a plan to help your elderly loved one get the most out of their senior years is a smart plan regardless of what may or may not happen in the world around us. Whether you plan on helping your loved one out as much as you can and supplement that care with professional assistance, or you find that their advanced health conditions have made full time professional care, like what you might find at a nursing home, more appropriate for their health. Finding the best care for your elderly family member is one of the best and most loving things that you can do for your mom or dad.
On a final note, we thought it was worth mentioning that about 85 percent of Meals on Wheels’ budget comes from donations, either through companies or private individuals. If this is a cause that’s important to you and you feel compelled to ensure that its services are not discontinued, there are things that you can do. This goes for any charity or cause that you are passionate about.
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