Fight Against Poor Nutrition for Seniors

For the second year in row, Emeritus at Snohomish is seeking to help combat senior malnutrition by joining in Emeritus’ nationwide effort to deliver more than 10,000 meals to seniors across America in the next 60 days in honor of National Food Month.

According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, four million seniors in America – nearly one in 10 – suffer from poor nutrition. Malnutrition can result from many factors, including a loss of interest in eating due to weakened taste buds, loneliness, poverty, or ailing health. Unfortunately, not getting a healthy diet exacerbates many of these same issues resulting in depression, improper healing and a depressed immune system.

Emeritus at Snohomish, part of Emeritus Senior Living, the nation’s largest assisted living and memory care provider, is renewing its successful “10,000 Meals in 60 days” campaign by delivering meals to seniors in need and visiting with them to ensure they are able to get the nutrition they need every day.
“Seniors may not get the nutrition they need for a variety of reasons,” says Cindy Freeman Dining Services Director. “For some, it’s due to a lack of financial resources; for others, a lack of reliable transportation. And in many cases, isolation and depression have caused seniors to lose interest in cooking and eating healthfully.”

The “10,000 Meals” campaign is an extension of Emeritus at Snohomish’s Home Visits program, where dedicated senior living professionals visit people in their home to identify where they could use help and connect them with the services they need.

“We are committed to making sure that every senior in need in this area finds the combination of programs and services that serves them best, even if they do not live with us,” says Jill O’Brien, Executive Director. “The 10,000 Meals initiative also supports our ‘Safely Somewhere’ program, ensuring that no matter where a senior lives, they are safe and living a purposeful life.”

To help meet their goal, Emeritus at Snohomish is asking for your help. If you know of a local senior who could use a nutritious meal, please call the community at (360) 568-1900. “We’ll deliver the meal along with a friendly face and some good conversation,” says O’Brien.