Meals on Wheels programs are very effective; here are some national and local data:
1 in 10 Colorado older adults struggle with hunger. In Colorado the older population with increase 37% between 2020 and 2030. It's even faster in Boulder County - during the same time the older adult population with increase by 46%.
77% of LMOW's clients leave their homes monthly or less; 18% leave weekly or les
s. Good news...
90% of participants say Longmont Meals on Wheels helps them stay living independently. Since 1969 Longmont Meals on Wheels has delivered more than 3 million meals. In 2022 LMOW prepared and delivered 106,930 meals to older adults, people with disabilities and people returning from a hospital in Longmont, Niwot, Hygiene and Niwot. Visits and meal delivery by our volunteers may boost medication adherence by as much as 14%. Studies also show visits by a volunteer reduce loneliness. This reduces depression and the number of doctors' visits for seniors. Proper nutrition and adequate calories for seniors also reduces risk of heart attack, asthma, congestive heart failure and reduces limitations in daily-living activities. Having meals brought to seniors and remaining in their homes after a hospitalization also reduces re-hospitalization in the first 30 days home. The cost of a nursing-care facility is 50% more expensive in this area than all of the services combined to remain living independently in your home. Longmont Meals on Wheels is one of those services. Finally at Longmont Meals on Wheels the quality of our food is amazing! We make and serve stuffed peppers, herb butter salmon, chicken caesar salad, fajitas and pork stir fry to name a few. This is not industrial food! We never charge the full cost of the meals to our clients, and 25% of our home-delivered meals were at no cost because these clients could not afford to pay anything.
