Why Should I Donate
CHALLENGES ARE FACED EVERY DAY
Today, the average life expectancy is at a record high of 79 years. As we get older, even the most independent among us may experience physical declines or financial hardship that strips away our independence. Add to that an increase in geographic mobility of our families, and the result is millions of seniors left behind, hungry and alone.
OUR NATION’S SENIOR POPULATION IS GROWING EXPONENTIALLY
1 in 5 Americans is 60 or older
With 12,000 MORE turning 60 each day
Average life expectancy today is 79 years
This population is set to reach 118M by 2060 – more than DOUBLE the number in 2010 which was 58M
LEAVING MORE AND MORE AMERICANS AT RISK OF HUNGER AND ISOLATION
Nearly 9.5M Seniors Are Threatened By Hunger. 5.5M of which are food insecure or very low food secure.
1 in 4 Seniors Live Alone. 1 in 5 Seniors Feel Alone and social isolation among older adults is associated with an extra $6.7 Billion in Medicare spending each year.
AND WHILE HUNGER AND ISOLATION CAN AFFECT ANYONE WITH LIMITED MOBILITY AND DECLINING HEALTH, FINANCIAL STRAIN MAKES THEM MUCH WORSE
7.1 MILLION SENIORS LIVE IN POVERTY
That’s an income of $234 a week or less, which, after housing, utility and medical expenses, leaves very little for food.
Older adults living at or below poverty are nearly twice as likely as those living above the poverty level to have limitations in their ability to live independently.
THESE THREATS FROM AGING NOT ONLY JEOPARDIZE THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF OLDER ADULTS, THEY ALSO PLACE A SIGNIFICANT STRAIN ON OUR COUNTRY’S HEALTHCARE SYSTEM AND ECONOMY
The economic burden associated with malnutrition in seniors is $51 Billion
Among seniors, the additional Medicare expenditures associated with social isolation are similar to the amounts associated with having high blood pressure or arthritis.
Medicare spending is disproportionately concentrated on older adults with multiple chronic conditions and/or functional limitations 5% of Medicare Beneficiaries Account for 42% of Spending
MEALS ON WHEELS IS THE ONLY FEDERALLY SUPPORTED PROGRAM DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY TO MEET THE NUTRITIONAL AND SOCIAL NEEDS OF SENIORS, YET THIS SUCCESSFUL PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP REMAINS SIGNIFICANTLY UNDERFUNDED
Among older adults who have difficulties with daily activities, 2 out of 3 receive limited or no home or community-based care. 83% of low income, food insecure seniors are not receiving the meals they need.
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