He drinks a lot of coffee, he says. Every Sunday, a lady across the street brings him dinner. And sometimes, another neighbor brings him some blackeyed peas and cornbread. Lucky at least is blessed with his health. Chronic medical conditions, as well as an inability to find work, vulnerability to crime and rejection by family, are part of the curse of growing old, and growing old poor.
Many medical conditions require certain diets as well as medication.
But on their fixed incomes, many of the elderly barely can afford regular diets, much less the more costly specialized products. As a result, many of them suffer, and some die. Meals on Wheels, various churches and senior citizen centers have kept many elderly people from virtually starving to death. In 1983, Meals on Wheels in Dallas served 700 meals daily. In less than three years, the demand has more than doubled to 1,500 meals a day.