Outcomes Reveal Impact

November 14, 2011 Anaheim, CA –Community SeniorServ, the largest nonprofit senior nutrition program in California and one of the largest in the nation, has completed an extensive outcomes study on the impact of its Senior Lunch program. The lunch program is for seniors who attend activities at their local senior center and is funded in part by the Older Americans Act (Title III Congregate Meals).

The Community SeniorServ study included 1,200 senior citizens who participate in the lunch program and other activities at their local senior center. The research was independently designed, monitored and analyzed by DoctorS Nonprofit Consulting in Southern California, under the direction of Drs. Dallas and Debbie Stout. Survey results revealed the following:

 

 

The data for this study was self-reported by the seniors. Sixty five percent were female, sixty eight percent were over the age of 70 and more than a third were ethnic minorities.

Given 33% of those surveyed reported eating just one well balanced meal a day at home, the senior lunch program clearly improves nutritional intake. Further, the program also overwhelmingly meets its goal of providing socialization for participants, given that 81% indicated they would be at home if they had not come to the program.  Respondents who reported they were happy most days showed significantly higher levels of physical health, number of friends and quality of life. The more they attended the lunch program, the more they reported being happy.

 

In addition to the Senior Lunch Program, Community SeniorServ also provides Meals on Wheels and case management services to 1,000 homebound older adults who are no longer able to get out and shop or cook for themselves. The nonprofit also operates two Adult Day Health Care Centers and an Adult Day Care Center.