Meals on Wheels Helps Combat Senior Isolation
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
Happy 250th Birthday America! That’s a lot of candles to blow out! Does anybody remember the 200th birthday of America in 1976? I was about 6 years old and can remember going to see the Freedom Train. I can’t remember too many details, but I do recall seeing the outfit that Judy Garland wore in The Wizard of Oz! Just think of all the advancements we’ve made in the last 50 years since the Freedom Train! Technology, transportation, communication, medicine-the list goes on and on. We are constantly changing and evolving. America has its ups and downs, but it is a privilege to celebrate this great nation!
One thing that technology and advancements can’t replace is socializing in person. Meals on Wheels provides an important lifeline for social wellness. By pairing nutritious meals with daily check-ins, MOW actively helps combat senior isolation, fosters independence at home, and provides family and caregivers with peace of mind. According to Meals on Wheels of America, research has shown that prolonged social isolation carries health risks equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day and over 40% of participants report that their delivery volunteer is their only human contact for the week. Regular MOW visits help ensure seniors are safe, which reduces the rates of falls and hospitalizations. Combating isolation helps prevent early cognitive decline and depression, lowering emergency room visits and hospital admissions.
I have said it before, and I will continue to say it every chance I get: Our MOW program would not function without our amazing volunteers! Their caring and dedication help to provide social wellness for our participants. If you would be interested in volunteering for MOW as a delivery driver, please contact Erin, volunteer coordinator, at (406) 294-1590.
Enjoy the summer!
- Stacy
Allies in Aging blog is brought to you by Altana Federal Credit Union
