80% of home bound seniors are at significant risk of malnutrition.

Many seniors who live alone are isolated and lack daily contact with others

"The people who deliver are wonderful… The real nurturance comes from your loving volunteers.  Fantastic people!"

...the amount of federal funds allocated to Older Americans Act senior nutrition programs will be less in FY 2010 than in FY 2009

While funding requests for Title III B and NSIP are truly "flat" (that is, federal funds available for FY 2010 and FY 2009 would be equal), this is not exactly the case with Title III C. The request for Title III C in FY 2010 is equal to the amount provided Title III C in the regular appropriation bill for FY 2009. [The proposed funding levels are: Congregate Nutrition - $434,269,000; Home-Delivered Nutrition - $214,459,000; NSIP - $161,015,000]. However, The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) or so-called Stimulus bill, made an additional $97 million available for senior nutrition programs in FY 2009. But those funds were not counted when the Administration characterized its FY 2010 request as the same as the FY 2009 funding. So, to translate: the amount of federal funds allocated to Older Americans Act senior nutrition programs will be less in FY 2010 than in FY 2009 (by $97 million) if the President's budget is approved as presented.

"If" is the key word, and it is the word that we bring out at this point in the budget process every year, because the President's budget is just his blueprint. Now Congress will consider his proposal and put forth appropriations bills with their own figures. This "appropriations process" is what we concentrate our energies on year after year, and FY 2010 is no different. As you know from previous Legislative Alerts, MOWAA is working with the Leadership Council of Aging Organizations to push for significant increases in funds for Older Americans Act programs. As of this writing, 30 Senators have signed a bipartisan letter sponsored by Senators Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) and Pat Roberts (R-KS) asking their colleagues on the Appropriations Committee to provide substantial increases for FY 2010. Thank you to all of you who made calls to your Senators asking them to sign on.

Meals on Wheels provide a hot, nutritious meal that is high in protein and calories, to meet almost 67% of adult nutritional needs for the day.  The meals are delivered by a volunteer who provides a smile and friendly visit along with the meal.  Meals are delivered Monday through Friday around mid-day.  Someone must be home to receive the meal since meals cannot be left at the door, unattended.  (For those who need weekend meals, two additional meals will be delivered on Friday and may be kept in the refrigerator and heated during the weekend.).  In addition, all seniors who receive Meals on Wheels also receive 3 “shelf stable meals” which they can keep in their pantry for use on days when inclement weather makes it impossible for volunteers to deliver a meal.

Eligibility to receive home delivered meals is simple:

1. You must be at least 60 years of age
2. You must have a medical or physical limitation that makes it difficult  to shop for groceries or to prepare meals
3. You must be a resident of Fulton County

Meals can be ordered to fit a range of dietary needs:

1. Regular
2. Renal
3. Vegetarian
4. Mechanical Soft

To sign up for Meals on Wheels, contact the Office of Aging at 404-730-6000.  Allow 2-3 weeks for processing to be completed. An SSNF Care Manager will call and arrange to visit you in your home to set up the MOW service.