2
WELCOME 

Keri Ann Lipperini, MPA

Director

Office of Nutrition and Health 

Promotion Programs (ONHPP)

Administration on Aging 

Administration for Community Living

U.S. Department of Health and 

Human Services

keri.lipperini@acl.hhs.gov
SENIOR VIGNETTE #1

Felicita

https://youtu.be/EMgNPqH8Ee8

4
MAKE YOUR MARK – ENHANCE 

SOCIALIZATION AND NUTRITION

“Living Connected” 

Baltimore County Department of 

Aging

Baltimore, MD
@NRCNA_engAging

LIVING LONGER * LIVING WELL * LIVING CONNECTED

• BCDA’s 2019 initiative was

“Living Connected.”

• Purpose was to raise

awareness about social

isolation and provide

opportunities for older adults

to connect to the community

• Research has demonstrated

the negative health effects of

isolation and loneliness

~ The National Resource Center on Nut,rition & Aging 6
@NRCNA_engAging

LIVING LONGER * LIVING WELL * LIVING CONNECTED

• In Baltimore County, the Adult Wellbeing Assessment conducted

in partnership with NCOA provides us with good data on social

and behavioral determinants of health

• We are able to segment the center member data to compare

participants in our Eating Together congregate meal program

and non-participants

• Results show that congregate meal participants are significantly

more likely to be “suffering” or “surviving” on all measures, as

opposed to thriving like the non-meal participants (p=<0.05),

with the exception of meaning and purpose, where there was

no significant difference

" The National Resource Center on Nutrition & Aging 7
@NRCNA_engAging

LIVING LONGER * LIVING WELL * LIVING CONNECTED

8

Life Satisfaction*

88.8%

8.9%

2.4%

82.0%

13.5%

4.6%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

70.0%

80.0%

90.0%

100.0%

Thriving Surviving Suffering

Non-Eating Together Eating Together

Life Optimism (2 years in future)*

87.5%

8.9%

3.6%

80.8%

13.5%

5.9%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

70.0%

80.0%

90.0%

100.0%

Thriving Surviving Suffering

Non-Eating Together Eating Together

*p<0.05

Non

Eating

Together

Eating

Together

Non

Eating

Together

Non

Eating

Together Eating

Together

Eating

Together

Eating

Together

Eating

Together

Eating

Together

Non

Eating

Together

Non

Eating

Together

Non

Eating

Together

I --

-- ■ ■ ■ ■ 

" The National Resource Center on Nutrition & Aging 
@NRCNA_engAging

LIVING LONGER * LIVING WELL * LIVING CONNECTED

9

Physical Wellbeing* Mental Wellbeing*

69.3%

25.8%

4.9%

57.3%

34.0%

8.7%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

70.0%

80.0%

90.0%

100.0%

Thriving Surviving Suffering

Non-Eating Together Eating Together

51.1%

36.6%

12.3%

37.9%

42.8%

19.3%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

70.0%

80.0%

90.0%

100.0%

Thirving Surviving Suffering

Non-Eating Together Eating Together

*p<0.05

Eating 

Together

Non 

Eating 

Together

Non 

Eating 

Together

Non 

Eating 

Together

Non 

Eating 

Together

Non 

Eating 

Together

Non 

Eating 

Together

Eating 

Together

Eating 

Together

Eating 

Together

Eating 

Together

Eating 

Together

- ■ ■ ■ ■ 

" The National Resource Center on Nutrition & Aging 
@NRCNA_engAging

LIVING LONGER * LIVING WELL * LIVING CONNECTED

10

Financial Wellbeing*

80.4%

14.4%

5.3%

65.7%

25.4%

8.8%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

70.0%

80.0%

90.0%

100.0%

Thriving Surviving Suffering

Non-Eating Together Eating Together

In general, how often do you get the 

social and emotional support you need?*

80.8%

12.3%

6.8%

73.2%

17.5%

9.4%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

70.0%

80.0%

90.0%

100.0%

Thriving Surviving Suffering

Non-Eating Together Eating Together

*p<0.05

Eating 

Together

Eating 

Together

Eating 

Together

Eating 

Together

Eating 

Together

Eating 

Together

Non 

Eating 

Together

Non 

Eating 

Together

Non 

Eating 

Together

Non 

Eating 

Together

Non 

Eating 

Together

Non 

Eating 

Together

• ■ 

■ ■ ■ ■ 

" The National Resource Center on Nutrition & Aging 
@NRCNA_engAging

LIVING LONGER * LIVING WELL * LIVING CONNECTED

11

I lead a purposeful and meaningful life.

86.8%

12.3%

0.9%

81.4%

16.9%

1.7%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

70.0%

80.0%

90.0%

100.0%

Thriving Surviving Suffering

Non-Eating Together Eating Together

Non 

Eating 

Together

Non 

Eating 

Together

Non 

Eating 

Together

Eating 

Together

Eating 

Together

Eating 

Together

- ■ ■ 

~ The National Resource Center on Nutrition & Aging 
@NRCNA_engAging

LIVING LONGER * LIVING WELL * LIVING CONNECTED

How often do you feel lonely or isolated from those around you?

12

37.3%

40.7%

18.7%

2.5%

0.8%

32.9%

34.6%

26.7%

4.9%

1.0%

0.0%

5.0%

10.0%

15.0%

20.0%

25.0%

30.0%

35.0%

40.0%

45.0%

Never Rarely Sometimes Often Always

Non-Eating Together Eating Together

Senior Center

Percentage of Members 

Who Are Sometimes, Often 

or Always Lonely

Lansdowne 40.0%

Pikesville 29.7%

Ateaze 29.4%

Victory Villa 27.1%

Overlea 26.5%

Parkville 25.9%

Reisterstown 25.2%

Arbutus 25.0%

Catonsville 24.8%

Rosedale 24.1%

Essex 23.9%

Edgemere 23.0%

Seven Oaks 22.6%

Hereford 21.0%

Cockeysville 19.8%

Bykota 19.2%

Jacksonville 18.9%

Liberty 18.5%

Woodlawn 18.2%

Fleming 18.0%

Can segment data by senior 

center and deliver programs 

and screenings to address 

social isolation. 

Eating 

Together

Non 

Eating 

Together

Eating

Together

Eating

Together

Eating

Together

Eating

Together

Non 

Eating 

Together

Non 

Eating 

Together

Non 

Eating 

Together

Non 

Eating 

Together

I -- ■ ■ 

" The National Resource Center on Nutrition & Aging 
@NRCNA_engAging

LIVING LONGER * LIVING WELL * LIVING CONNECTED

13

How often do you feel lonely or isolated from those around you?

37.3%

40.7%

18.7%

2.5%

0.8%

32.9%

34.6%

26.7%

4.9%

1.0%

0.0%

5.0%

10.0%

15.0%

20.0%

25.0%

30.0%

35.0%

40.0%

45.0%

Never Rarely Sometimes Often Always

Non-Eating Together Eating Together

ARBUTUS SENIOR CENTER

MILLS, R.

ATEAZE SENIOR CENTER

CONRAD, C.

CATONSVILLE SENIOR CENTER

CASSIZZI, M.

MOLONEY, R.

COCKEYSVILLE SENIOR CENTER

CLARKE, J.

GRIM, D.

ESSEX SENIOR CENTER

CZEBOTAR, C.

LIBERTY SENIOR CENTER

HAVERSTEIN, T.

PARKVILLE SENIOR CENTER

RICHARDSON, S.

REISTERSTOWN SENIOR CENTER

MALLORY-HUGHS, B.

VICTORY VILLA SENIOR CENTER

PAROL, A.

Can drill down further as 

BCDA social work staff can 

now follow up with specific 

individuals who may be at 

higher risk.

Non 

Eating 

Together

Eating 

Together

Non 

Eating 

Together

Non 

Eating 

Together

Non 

Eating 

Together

Non 

Eating 

Together

Eating

Together

Eating

Together

Eating

Together

Eating 

Together

I -- ■ ■ 

" The National Resource Center on Nutrition & Aging 
@NRCNA_engAging

NO SENIOR EATS ALONE DAY© 

• September 12, 2019

• Goal was to publicize the problem of social

isolation and encourage all members of

the community to share a meal with an

older adult

14

• Idea started with just the

congregate meal program, but

then quickly expanded to

engage community partners

JOIN US FOR NO SENIOR EAlS ALONE DAY 

~ The National Resource Center on Nut,rition & Aging 

lOIN 

NO 

EATSALON 

DAY 

Help make o der 

adults feel valued 
@NRCNA_engAging

NO SENIOR EATS ALONE DAY© 

15

Used social 

media, print 

media, television 

outreach, 

websites, and 

fliers in senior 

centers to share 

messages about 

NSEAD© and 

social isolation

Want To Be A 

Community 

- Par ner? 

orv· it 

http //www oolrimorecountvmd qov/ 

AgPnri11~/aginq/ no~('niorPat~alone 

lltml 

• Sign up for a meal at a local senior

center or wnlor housing facility. 

Invite ~meone to Join If you 

air ady att nd 

• lnvit 50meone to join you for a 

m I at a restaurant or home, nd

offer transportation if you can. 

• Share a meal with an older adult, 

if you workorvolunt rwith 

th9m. 

• Host a 5pecial m al with activi · /

entertainment through local 

church , community cent r5 and

o rga nlzatlo ns. 

• Provide dtscount t rest unints 

or offer a 5pecial price for 5enior5 

on ntday. 

• Promoto th w nt through 

your friends, family and local 

org nizatlons. 

~ The National Resource Center on Nut,rition & Aging 

No Senior 

tats Alone Day 

CT 

hnr ing m ul together 

improves health, happiness 

and ocial connection! 

po,is redb 

B ltimore 
@NRCNA_engAging

NO SENIOR EATS ALONE DAY© 

16

The B ltimore County Department 

of Aging is inviting everyone to 

mako old r adults fo I includod 

and valued on No Senior Eats Alone 

Day. We are looklng for partners to 

join us In dr wing attention to the 

impact of 50cial isolation. 

Partners can b•: 

• lndividu 

• Church 

• Community Croup 

• Senior Housing 

• R stauranu 

E ryon i invit d to shar 

meal with a senior by; 

• T ki an old r dultout to t 

or prep rtng them meal 

• Providing a gath ring space for 

older dults toe togeth r 

No Senior Eats Alone Day is being 

promotod to h Ip soniors i I 

conn~t d. to establish bGttor ating 

habits and to improve nutrition and 

health. 

l Increase life expectancy 

2 Improve mental health and 

cognitive status 

l Encourag more nutritious 

meals wlth higher satisfaction 

Increase feelings of motivation 

to car for self 

l Deer se in high blood 

pr&S$Ure and cholesterol 

Lower feelings of depre5:5.lon 

nd loneliness 

"1! Reduce risk for physical/ 

psychological health decline 

. Decrease riskoffallsdueto 

better nutrition 

Why Is o nior E t 

Alone Day Important? 

'When older adult or 

eating alone, thev ar 

2X As likely to b deprHMd 

At high r risk of physical 5 9% and mental health declln

More Ukely to have 

greater feelings of 79% isol tion when eating 

alone 

More likely if living alone 

490.L to have poor nutritional 

70 habits incrHsing their 

risk of illne5s and 

hospitali~ation 

Foeu:from rhe.Arnetfooo c e ofNuuidOl'I 

H lpmak . 01 

p I on al a l o, o

older adul Pi 

ag in Ba ty. 

~ The National Resource Center on Nut,rition & Aging 

e 
@NRCNA_engAging

NO SENIOR EATS ALONE DAY© 

17

Activities included:

• Breakfast, lunch, dinner and happy hour events hosted at 20 senior

centers and 15 nutrition sites. New participants were also welcome to join

other programs and activities at the sites that day

• Senior Center members were encouraged to bring their neighbors, friends

and family to the center for a meal, especially those that were isolated

• All senior center and nutrition site meals were funded via the congregate

meal program

• Senior center social clubs hosted meals at local restaurants for members

of the public who didn’t want to come to the senior centers

• BCDA staff brought and shared meals with homebound clients

• Community partners offered free meals, discounts or free menu items to

anyone mentioning No Senior Eats Alone Day©. Many of these sites also

provided programs to encourage socialization and learning

• Intergenerational events were encouraged

~ The National Resource Center on Nutrition & Aging 
@NRCNA_engAging

NO SENIOR EATS ALONE DAY© 

18

Impact:

• 1,902 meals were served in senior

centers and nutrition sites (usual total

was 700)

• 40 community partners participated

including restaurants, places of

worship, schools, colleges, community

associations, libraries and fitness

centers

• Some locations were open to the

public, while others were offered just

to the partners’ members

• A number of community “Champions”

also joined to help promote the day

and raise awareness of social isolation

(including CHAI, Cigna, and a number

of churches and schools)

~ Tho National Resource Center on Nutrition & Aging 
@NRCNA_engAging

NO SENIOR EATS ALONE DAY© 

19

Examples of community events:

• Baltimore County staff, including police

officers, volunteered at many sites as

conversation leaders and visited isolated

seniors in their homes

• Library offered a lunch and learn for 94

people

• Baltimore County Community College

provide an event-filled day for 55 people

• Goucher College offered an

intergenerational program for 20 people

BCDA 

Homebound 

Clients

~ Tho National Resource Center on Nutrition & Aging 
@NRCNA_engAging

NO SENIOR EATS ALONE DAY© 

20

Reisterstown Senior Center

Goucher College

St. Ursula Church

Fleming Senior Center Library Goucher College

~ Tho National Resource Center on Nutrition & Aging 
@NRCNA_engAging

Save the Date! 

No Senior Eats Alone Day© September 17, 2020 

Jill Hall

Division Chief, Senior Centers and Community Services

Baltimore County Department Of Aging

jphall@baltimorecountymd.gov

410-887-5548

www.baltimorecountymd.gov/aging

~ Tho National Resource Center on Nutrition & Aging 21
@NRCNA_engAging

THE VALUE OF SOCIALIZATION IN THE OAA 

CONGREGATE NUTRITION PROGRAM

rblancato@matzblancato.com

March 4, 2020
@NRCNA_engAging

PURPOSES OF THE OAA

• The three purposes of the nutrition programs of OAA as

stipulated in the law are to

• (1) Reduce hunger and food insecurity,

• (2) Promote socialization of older individuals, and

• (3) Promote the health and well-being outcomes of older

individuals by assisting them to access nutrition and other

disease prevention and health promotion services to delay

the onset of adverse health conditions resulting from poor

nutritional health or sedentary behavior

~ The National Resource Center on Nutrition & Aging 23
@NRCNA_engAging

PRIOR RESEARCH

• Past research into the congregate nutrition

program has focused on the meal that is provided

as well as nutrition education

• Little evaluation has ever been done solely on

the benefits of socialization to the health and

well being of older adults.

~ The National Resource Center on Nutrition & Aging 24
@NRCNA_engAging

NANASP SURVEY TOOL

• Provider Focused Questions

(11 total)

• Participant Focused Questions

(11 total)

• The tool was translated into Spanish

by Meals on Wheels Orange County

25

t,. ?,-:JJ-; e411 

' ,, .,~ t' .... 

~ Tho National Resource Center on Nutrition & Aging 
@NRCNA_engAging

PROGRAM PARTICIPANT SURVEY QUESTIONS

26

• What is your gender?

• What is your relationship status?

• What race/ethnicity best describes

you?

• What do you like best about

socializing during the congregate

meal program?

• How do you arrive at the

congregate meal site?

• How frequently do you receive

meals at the congregate meal site?

• Since participating in the

program, has your

knowledge of good nutrition

increased?

• Since participating in the

program, are you exercising

more?

• Has your health improved

since you started visiting the

congregate meal site?

• Do you have more friends

now than before you started

visiting the site?

• Do you believe enough time

is allowed for socialization?

~ The National Resource Center on Nutrition & Aging 
@NRCNA_engAging

SURVEY COLLECTION ACROSS 3 YEARS

• More than 3,000 surveys

collected from Congregate

Nutrition Program sites

• 90 program provider

surveys completed

• 12 states participated

• 25+ programs participated

• 5 Infographics created

~ Tho National Resource Center on Nutrition & Aging 
@NRCNA_engAging

SURVEY PARTICIPANTS, YEARS 1 AND 2

28

~9~~-------~_.____J 

WASHINGTON 9 MONTA A 

OR GO IOA 0 

WYO I G 

ORTH 

DAKOTA 

SOU H 

DAKOTA 

MINNESOTA Ottawa Montreal 

® 0 

WISCO SIN ~T Al 

Ct , ft,ft_.. EW YOR1'\ 

San Frg isco 

0 

EVADA 

BRASKA 

United States 

, ~ JCHIGA - Toronto / ~H 

IOWA -~· Yr• 

ILLI 01~ ~ft p · l:: r RI 

OIAq c.,rJ V oPhiladelphla 

U AH WEST M ~D E NJ 

CALIFO RNIA oLas v9 s 

Los A9 1es AR IZO A 

San Diego 

CO LORADO 

EW M XICO 

~ Tho National Resource Center on Nutrition & Aging 

KANSAS 

OKLAHOMA 

VIRGI μ~ KENTl9V f lNIA 

TEN ESSEE C~ .t~~A 

ARKA SAS 

MISSOURI 

Dallas 

0 

MIS ISSIPPI cf~gzl~A 

TEft o ... LOUISIA A 

Houston 

ALABAMA 

GEORGIA 

FLORIDA 

Gulf of 
@NRCNA_engAging

STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT RESULTS

• Year 1

• For those who said that “socialization is

encouraged” at the congregate site, they were also

4 times more likely to say they had a better

knowledge of good nutrition and improved health

since visiting the site.

• Year 2

• For those who said they had more friends now than

when they started visiting the site, they were also

3.96 times more likely to say they now exercise

more and 5.5 times more likely to say they have

improved health.

~ The National Resource Center on Nutrition & Aging 29
@NRCNA_engAging

SURVEY PARTICIPANT COMMENTS

• “I just enjoy getting out and making new friends”

• “If not for the senior center I would be very lonely.

It’s a blessing for people like me”

• “I come for the people as much as the food”

• “It is unbelievable how much we benefit and

learn. It is so motivational”

• “I love seeing and participating, singing and

listening to music on Thursdays”

• “Wish it was opened Saturday and Sunday”

~ The National Resource Center on Nutrition & Aging 30
@NRCNA_engAging

GETTING PERSONAL

• Starting near the end of year 1, I began doing site visits to actual

congregate sites, meeting staff and most importantly participants

• All told, spoke to more than 300 older adults mostly at the lunch table

• Started with same question—what is the main reason you come here

when you do?

• Unofficially, more than 90 percent of respondents said “socialization” or

words to that effect, and roughly the same percentage said they had

made new friends

• The number of years they came to program ranged from 1 to as many

as 35 with ages as old as 96

• Many, many great interactions and stories ranging from liver and onions

being the favorite meal in Fort Wayne, Indiana, to a couple who got

married at the site in Pahrump, Nevada, to seeing fathers and sons and

mothers and daughters at the same site!

~ The National Resource Center on Nutrition & Aging 31
@NRCNA_engAging

IN-PERSON SITE VISITS, YEAR 1

32

• WellMed Medical

Management, Inc., TX

• Meals on Wheels and

Senior Outreach Service,

CA

• Benjamin Rose Institute

on Aging and Wood

County Committee on

Aging, Inc, OH

• Aging & In-Home

Services of Northeast

Indiana

• Pahrump Senior Center,

NV

~ Tho National Resource Center on Nutrition & Aging 

Have Brunch With Bobl 

W are ry fortunate to have spedal ,u , 8ob Bbncato, 

ome to ask you what tomina the Concord C.C. Cafe means to 

you I Please como nd sllare your thoughts I 

researcher examlnM BG senior center· as gr-ant model 

lllLL ll~~. S.nllnrl•.l'r1bono Marfl'Wrll<r I l"a;bod, n lll3'f. !llarcll ·1u, 11117 ~,03 om 

trn ... DJJb" Blm;:.a-;o ~ o;:r. y~m i'l'V:?4,,"t' Wu~n nm::·.iJi'ft'~ hz. is ~a. Ml\'Oi:-Jm f.c smim ~ .~. 

Chalr o the Ame can Society on 

N tional Coordi na or of the Eld~r 

vi,itN. ih• 1,1...i;,,~ Gr<,n. Sooim t= 1= ,,...,k,. pll'1.,; ..,.,,1,...,.,,-b ·i= dio Yl!!.\Ul ofo:q,ro,i;.,t• dinir,.,; • f Representat'IVes staff me b r nd 

p .J i.: ;:t \ill 1.: J:- ini r..:.,.1.>J f..:ikral ~ud 1; 1t11..~ DY,. Com i ee on AQln • 

oo.dj~ti:.i.:[llJfri:i~uftbt=orn:ils_.n:-!-ra:JT.:::.Wuh:inlutbzbcrKf.7:= u:"~.::.r::rin5: ~~~t11,'-·.rOOC-tl - pf..m.ril:,o 

·,in,., pro,i,jM.llm:11\;ic tho \l,lo<d C".urty C«!!Rlitme m1⁄4in~. 

, :?ii': ~F.oi.:£1 Cilii J ·<1, 1 .:!.i:: ~I&, 1:m 11 11:i:ri dti:: 't> i:: J.t: cl:r;x:l1ll :i:i'.illM 1 i:s~ r,ea:L Ii.: 

.rn. 17 

. am 

Concord C.C. Cafe Dining Room 

ign up today1 Space h, Umitod, Pl case H on tlmel 

- t.CW .. \\-,.,.~ f ~ ~Otflraft:ft R 4 

.... . 

DC

ll:)' 

J:.o

Ho 

·J

Bcr

am

.. ,'.!

lwl
@NRCNA_engAging

YEAR 1 INFOGRAPHIC

33

BEYOND THE MEAL 

The Value of Socialization in Older Americans Act 

Congreg~te Nutrition Programs 

Generous funding from the Retirement Re arch Foundation. ll>c ti,11:r~ >.s:;,.:,<hH~• ,"I' tlir-~ r.n x-.: 1,fn;sr, ,tr.c, r -~.,r• -ltl"'51'1 ,cr,t,1'1:. ,1:.r~ in lwo =~ ~ cnsycu «' 

rtu:t/11;; lh• benellts cho~.i, z.r.JJn In CAA fwdod ca,= '4utl111:in ~•m> 1111r,e h•1ltn a·d·,.,U::,., n• -:f aldo· ad.Jt:. 

9 

SfATlS PARlKJp;.TCD 

c.lJf:irru, Ciorn<c:kut. 

lllnnl; \I nt.in, N.vt~ 

urofo3. Ohio, eJT'le2•t'. 

(.,;,;r,.'"l';t;'l""€f'O"I 

15 

CON GA.TC 

NUTifflON l'II06RAMS 

l",\fllClPATUl 

1,989 

{O,l,ffi[l[0 SUMYS 

a-om l-:ri,1cg;m, r-L~nbcr 

;, 1rtlrlp.v 

WteJecdJJ,:t,d 

57 

CTCOSUlYlYS 

fran ~: tlllt'lban 

rr"lJr.>mr,..,.,1.1: 

W'::"<: cdli,ct,,d 

FINDINGS 

Fram the t,939 ,u,.....,y, arw.yxd wo found the fallowing SL.timally 

!J I ( 

• l1k,,.e who "'ff'rlll!!>!d t "wci31izatiun is ~d.• the 

~dtrv.'CICabofnw1lmes.u~ 1osaythey had a. 

lrdJ)c o' r 1n1on, hAd ~ d::c of ~~ hy ~~nc, 

t,,b s .rd kul o,.q,,erimced mprc,,ed :lrt)-,ic.u hd.ih sint<e crmn& 

1D th, site 

.. i,o im,r,rcn:d lh.il th ha, ' ~ft· 11d fl()" h before 

lh•y 5obrt1:d th• ,it,"''""'~ two times"" lii.,,ly to "'Y tha1 ther 

firpal ;Ith 1,..,. lmpnwod sine,, sbrtlns o ,r,rt th•~ 

SITE VISITS 

~NASP E>lealtive Director Bab 

e 10 ~~ ""dA! ln-r -wn vis"! 

• ":x .\gin£ & rr.i toll'e SEr,!ce; of 

rt lndiut.1 

• .,1:,.,1, on •,1-tt • II. Sent:i• t;tJ.-:-telal 

SrMcc:;, (Jlif ,rl, 

rjJ~tift ~ 1-lSli.ui.! UII ,WI 

ar 1A'Oo~ <.o.n:y tu"rnntre on 

44Jn£.0ho 

• W~ll~I ,'4?dol M ~e-n..--r. ~ 

l lXIS 

• P;ohr Jmp Senior Centr-1 Nr,·ada 

ri:,·~11h·., ""'"'f\7": o~c;:· cm-n, ~J1 

jio,IE~nc, ,ll'olltw lJII.OG 

~ Tho National Resource Center on Nutrition & Aging 
@NRCNA_engAging

IN-PERSON SITE VISITS, YEAR 2

• Beverly Council on Aging, MA

• Seniors Resources of Guilford County, NC

• McBride Center, Knoxville, TN

• Area Agency on Aging (NACOG), Flagstaff, AZ

• Serving Seniors, San Diego, CA

• Food Bank of Western NY, Buffalo, NY

• Centralina Area Agency on Aging, Charlotte, NC

• First visit with a congressional staff member, Josh Ward (Chief

Field Representative for Sen. Richard Burr, then the

Subcommittee Chair on the Senate HELP Committee)

• American Association of Retired Asians, Hanover Park, IL

• Brattleboro Senior Meals, VT

• Joined by Outreach Representative for Sen. Sanders

~ The National Resource Center on Nutrition & Aging 34
~ Tho National Resource Center on Nutrition & Aging @NRCNA_engAging
@NRCNA_engAging

YEAR 2 INFOGRAPHIC

36

BEYOND THE MEAL 

The Value of Socialization in Older Americans Act 

Congregate Nutrition Programs 

Generous funding from the Retirement Research Fowulation. • \Ju, .. ,, 11, ... ~.wr ul ,-U,j I ~ lf,1. 3e,vi,;,, Flu~•:Jl"b 1~•,tt.>,Sr) n,v.i1,:~. ,cu, ... ·,I ~IJlll r )J}j ..,,, "" • ~t:JJ 

:,f a:ntin.r. stu.(j· ul Uie btn!lib cf ,ud,diubuu JI O.VI u-w,d C..1!,11<;;.ilt Nulr t c,i ,«>.ilJJIIIS lo t•,c ,e :h , ·rJ wdl-beir& ui 

,ar::a.Ji.. 

------- "J eijoy n1u:sic. hai:;:;,y faces and .?dt1cation. • -------

... ~ 

6 10 1,017 23 STA 5 PAl'TICIPATEI> 

North C..-rJlina, fl..ryland, 

ttli1oi,, Ari,~1·,1, Te:u!, 

Kill1t1CkY 

CONGMGAn 

:t.A/TtlTHlfl PIIOGA~ 

l'l\RTIOJ>ATED 

COMPLI.TED s.lRVEYS 

flllrtl (Unl!J'Cg;ile Nutri:Ktn 

1'1()~1.lJ"l ~I<. IS 

CO.'I/IPLlTED SUR'IIEYS 

ln,m C•n~~ Ntrtrwn 

Pto;t .lln p·ovide $ 

FINDINGS 

from 1he i.o,; >urv"}'S •n•ly,,,d we lau.nd 

th• fulk,.,.- oti.l~IC.\lly so;niRt.tnf 

inf(lt~tiO!t 

• For .,t,o~d heyh.!dmorc friends 

naN t"'-1 bcble 11-ey st.1r1lcd Yisitrg lh• 

oite,. th•y .., .. ..., oho 3-9, tsne 111<1n, lik<!ly 

to~ 1hey no.,, ereidse mote. 

• For ;o.,t,o~dtheyh.!dmoro lrlcrds 

""'"' than b:nl: 11-cy ,brtcd ,1sit.-@1hc 

llte,. lh•y ..,..,re •bo s..s tim-, 'Tlore Likely 

to~ 1h•Y h.i.ve iml)ro\..d heall.h 

werero.ected 

SITE VISITS 

~'L<\SP Execu.tive Dir«to1 Bob Bl~nw.u 

Jbo ul.lM if11)t9'>¢'1 lb lu: 

1rrt:J CP t0dl en Allfnc, w .. , Ult'~ 

•..-ere ctl d 

• Stnllfs R,.;.au,;:,.«1f ,1 tlmni Lr,srty, l\lor,h Caro ..., 

• ,,,loridt!~I. rtO.l.1,ilJ~ -t!rr.e~ 

• Ne., ~cyO'll\,;'n,i;f!IW:OGl. rtJ.g;Y.:iff,M;rona 

• Scrv ~ scrl(11;, Sl'll D ec. allfufnl:. 

• c &,r- 'IJNY iMf..Jo, '«""'' Yak 

• Gerr.r,dN tum fl!!•mv ur /qljnK, 0-.ubh•, North C..,<ilina 

• Atuen 11.>w(i.,lion .,I .i•~tl .-.silu,, Hanuve, PJ,k. IW1'Ci, 

• anlrboro Scf'jc,- 11,:al,, \'xflr()nt 

r...- ffli:lt t1l.:.cnutit.u v•il WV,Wll. (W.."61.&U tf t::.t1Lul &a .d 

f;c,: •l<wl9') Cf 11~,..r.,;p IPJ 

-

~ Tho National Resource Center on Nutrition & Aging 
@NRCNA_engAging

IN-PERSON SITE VISITS, YEAR 3

• Volunteers of America Colorado Branch

• Wild Rose Community Center, WI

• Duplin County Services for the Aged, NC

• Elsie Stuhr Center, Beaverton, OR

• Twin Cities Senior Center and Olympia Senior Center, WA

• St. Martin de Porres Senior Center, VA

• Whatcom Council on Aging, Bellingham, WA

• Goshen County Senior Friendship Center, Torrington, WY

• Henry County Heritage Senior Center, McDonough, GA

• North Fulton County, Roswell Senior Center, Roswell, GA

~ The National Resource Center on Nutrition & Aging 37
@NRCNA_engAging

OREGON VISIT

Joined by Rep. Suzanne 

Bonamici (D-OR), who 

told participants about 

her new role as Chair 

of the Subcommittee 

reauthorizing the Older 

Americans Act

~ Tho National Resource Center on Nutrition & Aging 
@NRCNA_engAging

YEAR 3 INFOGRAPHICS

39

YEAR 3: BEYOND THE MEA 

CASE STUDY: The Value of Soci 

Congregate Nutrition Program: YEAR 3: BEYOND THE MEAL 0 ioNI Au .. 11,n of w>o~Of' ,nd Sot CM .,_ 

~h fourmi10 1n wr..y :a1>1H Ila canbnw, •• srudy oJ I 

prqrvn< Ila •Ith d II b Ins af ad ., Th 

CASE STUDY: The Value of Socialization in Older Americans Act 

Congregate Nutrition Programs in Wisconsin The Niil.Jon~l A-"ocbUOn cl .Wutr 1 .1nd" 11 s.t,«-. PN>flD:M' (MN<.ASP') ~ ~ ---~-1--' L...- • L... 11- ~ .......... 

-- "(ommg o MOW gives me .serm 

CONGREGATE Sm 

Elsie Stuhr Center 

~}~ SW 11 Blvd,. Be~ 

kp•~r ,~ sw..inr-~ 

!C<1a"lc !DORI ""'1]C~nt, of h,r ,N 

r.,~ 0\-'• afd-.c-S,..~rn..nN..t-c"w 

~w 1hr t Ame-~.rJ .-.ct. Hele", :. 

cu ,.....,Ip,,, pan1 ..iechB ., 

th lJo<t..tNe IC':101 cf N~ ..,.!P 

"My Jiot I 

SU 

•~% 1 

I 

• S,% 1 

- 1 

vilrtl~ 

• 6J~• 

u~J 

• --- ;5'A, 0 

b4 .. ..., mcrti 

out 

.!11.h r ~in MJno IO(OtlUllW! ll udyolt/'o@ I °' i<l.tlioni~• 

p"'frams to • ho and '<II rt! of oldet . 1hr lnfllfflQWn bdo"' w.u cal« 

- - •, love the nu ntious meals, activities. spea ers and s1 

5 COUNTIES PARTICIP'AT!D 

Cahnb~ D•ne. 

M;uqu.er. On ee ;ind 

Y/;IUSMr.l cg 

2 

TRJa:S PARTICIPAJlD 

Menominee •nd 

Onedo tnbcs 

ii; 

580 

COMPlITID 

UITICIPANT SUIII 

----- ' like ta,!1:mg O Olhfll ' --

w,i. 1.,.(.....,unrty ( t,,, 

l~.te:j 500 WdOlffiir ~ 

''-\~ itW Y 

SURVEY FINDINGS: ...... ..- . 1''•• now1h nbt 

, "°"or u, 111 

lhcy ;al,mdy lcnaw, ....... n°"' friends and I 

, s]% ol115pondmssoidlhcir hml1h in1III 

• 71.., ol rc,;,ondmln,,.rc ftmw, 

, JO'ilo cf mpomlmts ma,riff. ..,,. ·~ 

• 57'11, o4 mpon~ ¥1M! ID 1he COOll'CI* s 

• :Q.,., o4 particlp.u,ts soy they Yi-1 1he ""11l'<S 

• 71.., of rcspmc!Cllb Wllill!, ~ Ameriun 

, Mo p,o-,id.1nat th• titrs' 

pormp•nb is n l"'llS • nd older 

YEAR 3: BEYOND THE MEAL 

CASE STUDY: The Value of Socialization in Older Americans Act 

Congregat e Nutri-tjon Programs in Washington 

uu11 .. rout•:..tbni• ., .~,y ..a 11 a1lln1a h...., DI I a brrwl1h c,I .-.:1..111, on in OM fund Cm,, .All'! 

11 

nh1w, 

Ille he.lit •nd • ..ul>elrv of ol:lo ..d.Jls The •~• bdow .-.. eood 

------·, t•rt,,oy heli,111 othc,~ an<l 11:1lk1ng w1rh at t'fldecs." -----

2 COM,AE,ATf 

51Tf5 I ~ I lji_~ 

104 r..,;,, ( itit!J Senior ( enllrr 

1545 N. abonol Ave Ch 

Olympj~ SfflDf (cl>ler 

I/A 

WA 

CXl,_.,llnD 

MmCIP'ANT SUII\IEY

:JJl eofornb..is.- Wot 

----------- "Af""1Y5 !oo· Vl.llJCt' <lat<'•·----------

SURVEY 

FINDINGS: 

• 55"-ofmpordonts .. ,.rc~ 

• !il)ll, ol p,o,ddfiOJ>,. uy kl/ Yllil the -.a,n. • l<w Ume> ow, .,,cit 

• 91'11.gylhcylm,tmon, ..-1h•nbdo,olhcyN111ed.Yi qtl••"""' 

• ~'II olRSpondtntssol<lwh.tli,ey be<1oboutsodl1Jz11111stdlrw11> 

• · nda lhwyM.1-.dylcna-11( mw .,..,,_w•• .uui.ptti~uulclthair 

dq 

• ,,,. of RS nts sold th,y bdltve the s .u .... "'OUlh Ume"" 

sooolim"" 

• 51~ohc:s nts sold tho, i.c.llh Im "' al slncie 

• J4~ ol ood.4M:ti wt,11 Wldowod 

• IJ~ al and,,, _,. ..t,;,. 

• 11,cfr8 111•,clen •nweb> -11!,.tlt l,y c,or 

~ Tho National Resource Center on Nutrition & Aging 

-

S 

-

I try o ma• ,lnrnd, a,u1 lrrl'p rhr,n • ----------
@NRCNA_engAging

NANASP RESEARCH WEBSITE

40

National Voice. Local Action. 

Home About Us Membership Advocacy & Legislation Conferences & Events Corporate links Resources Contact Us 

Eld Ab1,1 

JOIN Food afe 

NA /. aln ri ion 

TOD~ 

~ Tho National Resource Center on Nutrition & Aging 
@NRCNA_engAging

WEBSITE: RESEARCH DATABASE

• Webinar recordings

• Infographics

• Articles

• Survey tools

• Site visit photos

~ Tho National Resource Center on Nutrition & Aging 41

Na 1onal Voic . Local Action. 

Horne About Vs Mt·111bc1:;l11p Ad\'01:il(.)' & LC'QISlcJllOII Corrk.,t'f!Cl'S & Events Co, 

Retirement Research Foundation - Value of Soclallzatlon 

Study 

Rcsear h o nda on fu ded the National Associa ion o u · ion and 

Pl(lcJri'lrr . {NANASP) In Sil I th . ;ilu () ';tl( 1Hh/i11it>l1 lo I ii I ft(! JltS 

in C ate Nutri1io pr grams. Si c 2016 vc'vc been looking at tiow 

lh 1n r.on ob d v 11-h 1nr1 oulc 

d r mai ind PQndG t Our wo so 1ne 

lhe soc1shzet1on oppor1unrty of I e rogram other resear up to hrs pom h mostl 

focused on e b nerI1s for m its8 f and nu rrt100 education pro 1d8d at he site 

Pl:isll!r Pr Cl<~tllllLion: 
@NRCNA_engAging

POLL QUESTION

Does your organization offer a specific event or 

program designed to improve social isolation 

among your clients?

• Yes

• No

If you answered yes, please enter a brief description 

of your event into the Chat box on your screen. Let 

us know!

~ The National Resource Center on Nutrition & Aging 42
@NRCNA_engAging

FUTURE-PROOFING THE CONGREGATE 

NUTRITION PROGRAM

March 4, 2020
@NRCNA_engAging

A JOINT PROJECT

• In October 2018, the National Association of

Nutrition and Aging Services Programs (NANASP)

received a year-long subgrant from the National

Resource Center on Nutrition and Aging (NRCNA)

to focus on congregate meals programs

• The NRCNA and NANASP have worked together

on products such as a literature review, a

convening and proceedings, conference

presentations, virtual summits, issue briefs, and a

Leaders Lab group

~ The National Resource Center on Nutrition & Aging 44
@NRCNA_engAging

WHY THIS WAS NEEDED

• Some local congregate meals programs are facing

declines in participation, even as the older adult

population continues to grow

• Programs also face different challenges, including

funding and program planning issues,

demographic shifts, and program perception

issues

• However, opportunities are also on the rise, and

this partnership sought to identify those and

share them with the provider network

~ The National Resource Center on Nutrition & Aging 45
@NRCNA_engAging

THE LITERATURE REVIEW

46

Review available at www.nutritionandaging.org/futureofcongregate

JULY 2019 

CO G GAl E N TRITION PROGRAMS 

Tlle Ni11on3J 

Res.ce Ccntu on Nutritl 11 & Aging 

~ Tho National Resource Center on Nutrition & Aging 
@NRCNA_engAging

HIGHLIGHTS

• Congregate meals programs must rapidly evolve as the

older adult population increases and becomes more

diverse, as must all aging services programs.

• There is much opportunity to address ever-increasing

needs in the areas of:

• Demographic shifts

• Local infrastructure

• Hunger and food insecurity

• Funding and planning issues

• Cultural competency

• Program perception

~ The National Resource Center on Nutrition & Aging 47
@NRCNA_engAging

HIGHLIGHTS (CONT.)

• Offering a suite of services that leverage emerging

technologies, confer tangible health and wellness

benefits to the satisfaction of the local

community, and address evolving needs, is an

important opportunity for innovation and

engagement, particularly for smaller programs

~ The National Resource Center on Nutrition & Aging 48
@NRCNA_engAging

THE CONVENING

Proceedings available at www.nutritionandaging.org/futureofcongregate

~ Tho National Resource Center on Nutrition & Aging 
@NRCNA_engAging

VIRTUAL SUMMITS – DISCUSSION TOPICS

• Summit 1:

• Staff training

• Rebranding the congregate nutrition program

• Improving dining experience

• Business acumen

• Addressing policy myths

• Summit 2:

• Creating consumer focus groups

• Engaging more staff to determine best practices and

strategies

• Technological improvements

• Sharing the current innovative work that is already happening

~ The National Resource Center on Nutrition & Aging 50
@NRCNA_engAging

ISSUE BRIEFS

Available at www.nutritionandaging.org/futureofcongregate

51

FOR OVERALL SATISFACTION 

f tM,cc,n~r?.;;lrition p qirmn as, b9a t.:.n~..n.P!iiilh,_,a,.d l~D'~ a.dUtli lw,g 

n ~rn,nt1.,_,n;::11:iaJm,.Ct:11~ iry, ln~fflt-th-,~l;ll ~ ~ m - n ~ -:.i;,,;i 

r .... _ NiiNi ilCii 111..u" · , vWWt ,JI\ ~ fl t)JIPIHMLyl'l:ir..::.cla ,n- iJNtfiiKU) Mtu1 

pll!"=- pa!Ullfilbud!llffflllKft,o"'~CtNll!lt&.lifflp lii~;IIJ:l~l.4't:orQ~lii 

rT.alL To;,.thtw"M! cantlm-t,., l:idlll ialn:NaH- p:alk:fl:dton ;11,M l) 

The cmit:Jies/ mispereeptkms d l:xmt 1he -congregCJte 

nutrition, prog ram cire likely fam1k1r to you 

Cl;;fYin,;atn rulJ111cn p ""1'- o.-. Y<;J"! ,i, ~--f:.P,Y o"'C"'f -n.,~ .. ,~rnt, 1'.Y.Z" 

tu ;l'",1 1:,i:: u :l'l"d n.:a r a ;ictb:.IIJ11Drr. ~ IJl1ur ,t.. w:aU ,, :a 1 ca• l'1..t::itt 

o""tred rr ~· r <~.., ,('t"G.. C'''d • ~ o--, " f'o cH-.'(14. t,,,. , t,')m"1 l 1 1Nl"1 

m111QrA It-♦ • • PH~")~.ti ::in, ,:r:t dNna c l l:h:.• ~, :a ... Ill'! i: ta IM\& l.:c"!;f9':;!Dta 

,-m1 ... nptr'!J'("fflf) .. , h'WW"'1d {l'l~l ttq~~ - ... ,1,0 1•, .-H'1M~f 11 1"' rn 

1:-,,., uncwxmnc • ,.. 9'1 rrb:lc •ct~• rrcA.:.n v.hor: -. :1 ~ ... nl:.., v.tict".11 •nt, :."Id hoai, 

to.f('(Y).! reJdt- c- • ,.,._ s 1~(0C{1 '1'CC:ilH .Ott d~ j(l-.J'Ci 

c• c-..nwtl a nc 111 ~ -=-- ? :rt d :x:int• r r.irn taDd ~ 1, ta •~ncra, ccni;raccta n.Jtr ~=ti 

~tU',,ilUt -.WJI UN' "Ul ll,I ~ (u• i , l:.1 1,JJ•,o . 

~ Tho National Resource Center on Nutrition & Aging 

To ensure optimal dklnt-centorod servlc:o delivery 

IOt;irdc~ tieng~nLtftmn F'l'9'01Mh'oldiowntiJ ocwib,,~ ~ 

(ldt'Mlt <t Ml\a,f,1,0. Ill«. U Uri - ohlllfrtk,u1, N. 

tiltn'lcned,,catb,\an: anq:flCl"'h,nr,b mddllQ'IICn a en ~W'IOt;mtWc~

_..,_ • 

C'""°'t_..., oor"'Y4>l'-~ 

f:N'd .:ii 'MU•• .....-..om.haltutiot1~...._..._.lb~1 ... P"VdM.• 

.lfhJfto-t U 00ft M Mlfd 

~ l.&H atw ctanot dc1111--. ,.,,..atf'M,ft; rrvr, 

bklgo r, ;ti, lode 
@NRCNA_engAging

WHAT DO THE ISSUE BRIEFS DO?

• Discuss easy ways to support improved

dining environments

• Outline ways to engage staff, clients

and volunteers to have more fun

• Outline ways to engage and grow

stakeholder community

• Support meals myth-busting

~ The National Resource Center on Nutrition & Aging 52

,__Ml_~ .. ....,,,.,, ... 
@NRCNA_engAging

MAKE YOUR MARK: ENGAGE EXTERNAL AUDIENCES

• Engage funders and new partners

• Engage civic leaders and

legislators

• Share with donors and potential

donors

• Identify concrete ways for all to

support the congregate program

~ Tho National Resource Center on Nutrition & Aging 53

. ' .. ~ . . -- . . . 

. ~.- .......... -.~·, ..... -·•--"'"· -.. , ... ,.. ........... - ........ ,..,..,.. ......... _ . ... .. .. -. - - ' ... .. • ,- r .,..1, ,_.. - r •• • • ....,~ 

.... - -·-- - ·-· 
@NRCNA_engAging

MAKE YOUR MARK: SHARE INTERNALLY WITH ALL

• Share materials with your board

• Share materials with staff and volunteers

• Use issue briefs in staff onboarding

• Leverage issue briefs as pre-reads for staff

meetings

• Use topics discussed in the literature

review or proceedings report to inform

strategic planning sessions among your

leadership team

~ The National Resource Center on Nutrition & Aging 54

......... ~cp--•---. - ------- -,..i~ ---• .._a --- ~ ------..-.--P-, ·--. ....r.-----~ __ a. _..... _ .................. _ .. ~--
@NRCNA_engAging

LARGER-SCALE USES

• Brainstorming sessions

• Can be a component of a session at a community

meeting or a national conference

• Focus group sessions

• Could include older adults in your program and/or not

attending your program

• Hold your own convening

• Use the proceedings as a template or create your own!

~ The National Resource Center on Nutrition & Aging 55
@NRCNA_engAging

OTHER RELEVANT NRCNA RESOURCES

• Urgency for Change: A call to action for the aging

network

• To add value and to survive thrive, senior

nutrition programs need to modify and

modernize. A variety of environmental changes

are confronting nutrition programs.

• https://nutritionandaging.org/white-paperresource-collection/

~ Tho National Resource Center on Nutrition & Aging 56
@NRCNA_engAging

WHAT’S NEXT?

• Upcoming presentation at 2020 ASA Aging in

America Conference

• Stay tuned!

~ The National Resource Center on Nutrition & Aging 57
@NRCNA_engAging

WHERE TO GO

• All materials from the project are available at

www.nutritionandaging.org/futureofcongregate

~ Tho National Resource Center on Nutrition & Aging 58

@NRCNA_engAging

CELEBRATE THE SENIOR NUTRITION PROGRAM

• Help ACL celebrate the Older Americans Act

National Senior Nutrition Program congregate

services.

• By the end of March, please send photos, videos,

audio clips, or testimonials from seniors about

your meal site, program activities, or nutrition

education to healthpromotion@acl.hhs.gov.

• Please include your contact information and

permission to use the material.

~ Tho National Resource Center on Nutrition & Aging 
@NRCNA_engAging

KEEP ON CELEBRATING: JOIN US NEXT WEEK

For the rest of the month, the Administration for Community 

Living has prepared a series of weekly webinars.

Webinar #2

Title: Make Your Mark: Hospitality

Date: Wednesday March 10

Time: 3:30pm – 5pm ET

Register: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4777418010241977613

~ Tho National Resource Center on Nutrition & Aging 61
@NRCNA_engAging

CONNECT WITH YOUR PEERS VIA NRCNAengage

NRCNAengage is an online venue for senior nutrition program staff, nutrition 

and aging professionals across the country to connect, share best practices, 

resources, recopies and ideas for action!

62

Signing up is easy! 

Visit www.nrcna.mn.co

and click ‘Invite’! IN. 111 ◄ 

~ Tho National Resource Center on Nutrition & Aging 
SENIOR VIGNETTE #2

Jenny

63

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHOfolkcUXE