By Tracey Postiglione
According the American Academy of Family Physicians, nearly one in ten seniors in America suffers from poor nutrition. This can exacerbate problems already common among seniors, including depression, improper healing, and a depressed immune system.
Emeritus at Brandon, which is located at 700 S Kings Ave., is part of Emeritus Senior Living, the nation’s largest assisted living and memory care provider. They are helping combat this problem by delivering 10,000 meals to seniors in 60 days and visiting with them to ensure they are able to get the nutrition they need every day.
“Seniors may not get the nutrition they need for a variety of reasons,” says Nancy Perez, Dining Services Director. “For some, it’s due to a lack of financial resources; for others, a lack of reliable transportation. And in many cases, isolation and depression have caused seniors to lose interest in cooking and eating healthfully.”
Emeritus at Brandon has long been providing outreach to seniors who live at home through its Home Visits program, where dedicated senior living professionals visit people in their home to identify where they could use help and connects them with the services they need.
“We are committed to making sure that every senior in need in this area finds the combination of programs and services that serves them best, even if they do not live with us,” says Cheryl Benders, Executive Director. “The 10,000 Meals initiative also supports our ‘Safely Somewhere’ program, ensuring that no matter where a senior lives, they are safe and living a purposeful life.”
To help meet its goal, Emeritus is asking for the help. If you know of a local senior who could use a nutritious meal, please find the Emeritus community nearest you and give them a call. “We’ll deliver the meal along with a friendly face and some good conversation,” says Benders.
If you are interested in helping a senior get the nutrition they need, please call Emeritus in Brandon at 662-0255.
