Outcomes and Measurements

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 combined Meals on Wheels and Case Management program. The program is for frail, homebound seniors and is funded through the Older Americans Act (Title III Home Delivered Meals).

OUTCOMES REVEAL IMPACT

The Community SeniorServ study included 1,279 frail, homebound senior citizens who received Home Delivered Meals and Case Management services between July 2009 to June 2010. The research was independently designed, monitored and analyzed by DoctorS Nonprofit Consulting in Fullerton, California, under the direction of Drs. Dallas Stout and Debbie Stout. The study revealed the following statistically significant findings about new program participants:

Receive 141% more referrals to supportive services

Gained an average of 2 pounds

Demonstrated a sustained 20% increase in sense of well-being

Had 34% reduction in new clients hospitalized and 62% length of stay reduction

Ninety percent of program survey participants were low income, very low income or below poverty level. Further, eighty percent of participants were age 70 or older, more than sixty percent were women, and one-third of participants were ethnic minorities.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

Community SeniorServ, a social services nonprofit organization, provides Home Delivered Meals and Case Management services to more than 1,100 seniors a day in central and north Orange County, California. Program participants, who can no longer shop or cook for themselves, receive three meals a day, five days a week. The meals and case management services help participants stay in their own homes longer while maintaining their independence.

Community SeniorServ also provides Senior Lunch programs in 27 senior centers in 20 cities throughout Central and North Orange County. The nonprofit also operates two Adult Day Health Care Centers and an Adult Day Care.

For more information about Community SeniorServ or the survey results, contact Phil Beukema, Vice President Development & Communications, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 714-220-0224.

For information about DoctorS Nonprofit Consulting, contact Dr. Dallas Stout or Dr. Debra Stout at www.doctorsconsulting.org

©Community SeniorServ 2011. All Rights Reserved. www.communityseniorserv.com 

COMMUNITY SENIORSERV CONTINUUM OF CARE

Continuum is defined as: A continuous whole, quantity, or series;

Community SeniorServ is a not-for-profit, social service organization that specializes in maintaining the independence and well-being of older adults by providing programs and services that provide a continuum of care.

Some older adults have very active lifestyles participating in activities at their local Senior Center. Community SeniorServ serves these older adults by providing a hot, nutritious lunch.

As these active seniors age they may become temporarily homebound because of a hospitalization and they need Community SeniorServ’s Meals on Wheels support as they recuperate. Often these older adults return to the senior center after they are healthy.

As the aging process continues these seniors may become permanently homebound and need the Meals on Wheels program. They are delivered 3 meals a day 5 days a week.

If an older adult needs day care with onset of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease they can be referred to our Adult Day Care Center where they are cared for in safe, secure environment. At the center, they participate in activities and are provided a snack and nutritious lunch daily. This program gives family caregivers the ability to work during the day knowing their family member is secure and cared for.

Some older adults with multiple health problems need a higher level of care during the day. These seniors will be referred to our Adult Day Health Care Centers where they receive comprehensive daytime care and licensed medical supervision. Our centers focus on rehabilitative therapy. The program is designed to maintain or enhance an individual's physical and mental abilities with the aid of licensed therapists and medical personnel. The program often helps participants avoid placement in a nursing home or other full-time care facility. Family caregivers benefit from the temporary support and rest from care giving duties which the Centers provide.

There may come a time when older adults become severely impaired and need services beyond the scope of Adult Day Health Care. Community SeniorServ has licensed social workers on staff to help family members with referrals and support as they make the difficult decision of a placing their loved one in a skilled nursing facility.