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Good nutrition is at the core of good health especially for older adults who may be managing chronic health conditions. In 1972, Senior Nutrition Programs were added to the Older Americans Act with the purpose of:
- Reducing hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition in older adults.
- Promote socialization of older adults.
- Support healthy aging and promote overall well-being in older adults
- By assisting them in gaining access to nutrition and other health promotion services.
- Delaying the onset of health conditions resulting from poor nutrition and sedentary behavior.
Senior Nutrition Programs include:
- Dining In Program - a home delivered meal program. More information below.
- Dining Out Program - a meal program in a community or group setting. More information below.
- Individual nutrition counseling from our consulting Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist (RDN). More information below.
- Group nutrition education classes. More information below.
Those who participate in Senior Nutrition Programs are given the opportunity to contribute on a monthly basis. Contributions can be made with check, credit card, or SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). Suggested contributions are $5.00 per meal.
Senior Nutrition Programs are not intended to reach every individual in the community. Programs target older adults, 60+, who are in greatest economic and greatest social need. Call our NY Connects line to find out more at 716-753-4582. Ask to sign up for our communication system to get messaging about upcoming programs and services. You can choose to get these automated messages by text, email, or voice calls.
This material has been funded in whole or in part by grants from the New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA), and/ or the Administration on Aging (AOA) and/ or Administration for Community Living (ACL). Nothing herein is intended, nor should be construed, as an endorsement by the State of New York.
Dining In Program:
The Dining In Program delivers a nutritious and delicious meal right to your door. The Dining In program is often the first in-home service that older adults receive as this program serves the most frail, homebound, and isolated older adults in our community. Eligibility screening determines clients who have limited access to food through transportation, mobility issues, or kitchen skills. Menus are created in our Nutrition & Wellness office to meet the nutrition guidelines of the Older Americans Act. Office for Aging Services partners with UPMC Chautauqua for food production of the meals. We partner with Jamestown Meals on Wheels and Dunkirk-Fredonia Meals on wheels to transport the meals right to your door. Clients are screened by our Nutrition & Wellness staff. If eligible, clients must complete an in-home assessment within 10 days of starting the program. Meals provided meet 1/3 of the nutrition needs of eligible participants. Our staff can provide additional resources to enrollment in the SNAP program or local food pantries for those who have limited access to food due to income.
Contact NY Connects to see if you qualify at 716-753-4582.
** All participants in the Dining In Program must complete an initial assessment and annual reassessment.
Dining Out Program:
The Dining Out Program serves a healthy meal while a community is built around a table. In addition to a healthy meal, the program presents opportunities for social engagement and connectedness, information on healthy aging, and meaningful volunteer roles, all of which contribute to an older individuals overall health and well-being. Registered participants will be assigned a CHQAging card for use at all Dining Out locations. The card is pre-loaded with 20 meal units per month, with a restriction to no more than 1 meal per day. The card also provides access to health promotion and nutrition education materials from the comfort of your home with a device that has the capacity to scan a QR Code. Check out the list of participating locations for open hours, days they serve, and if an advanced reservation is required 48 hours in advance. The menus for our participating restaurant locations are updated yearly. The menus for our non-restaurant locations are updated monthly. When you scan the back of your CHQAging card, there are links to take you to the various menus.
Contact NY Connects for further information and to get your CHQAging card at 716-753-4582.
**All participants in the Dining Out Program must complete an annual Nutrition Risk Screening.
Nutrition Counseling:
Our consulting Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist can complete an individualized nutrition counseling session. These can be completed over the phone or through an on-line meeting.
Contact NY Connects to schedule an appointment.
Nutrition Education:
Nutrition Education is provided by our SNAP-Ed Nutrition Educator. Nutrition Education is provided through articles, mass communication outreach, and by scanning the QR Code on the back of your CHQAging card. Additionally, in-person nutrition education classes are offered as 1 hour each class in a 4-week series at various locations throughout the county. This SNAP-Ed nutrition workshop series is both well-loved and well-attended.
SNAP-Ed programs and materials are funded by USDA's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. If you are in need of accommodations, please request at time of registration for programs.
Contact NY Connects to see if there is a nutrition education class being offered near you at 716-753-4582.
