Meal Delivery Services Significantly Reduce Senior Hospitalizations

The WellSky Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to improving quality of life for vulnerable populations, announced the results of a study showing the critical impact of meal delivery services in reducing hospital readmissions among older adults post-discharge from an acute setting.

The study was done in partnership with Meals on Wheels America, the national leadership organization supporting more than 5,000 community-based programs across the U.S. addressing senior hunger and isolation.

The research explored how health care organizations and community-based Meals on Wheels programs could team up to improve health outcomes for seniors, while also aiming to better understand key insights into social determinants of health, including food insecurity, and their impact on supporting the overall well-being of seniors.

The data showed a dramatic 85% decrease in hospitalizations just 30 days after the intervention, with the reduction increasing to 93% at the 90-day mark. Additionally, 98% of participants reported that the meal service aided in their recovery after hospital discharge, and 61% said the service helped reduce their feelings of social isolation during recovery.

"These findings provide clear, measurable evidence of how Meals on Wheels services can drastically improve older adult health outcomes," said Ipyana Spencer, chief health officer Chief Health Officer at Meals on Wheels America.

"Not only were hospitalizations reduced, but the local Meals on Wheels providers also addressed key social determinants of health, like food insecurity and social isolation, which can be overlooked in traditional health care approaches."

The study monitored seniors discharged from two hospital systems in New York and Florida by conducting wellness checks at the time of discharge to evaluate their need for meal assistance.

Using a technology-based screening tool, patients were asked targeted questions, and those identified as food insecure were referred for meal delivery services.

Two local Meals on Wheels America member programs, Meals on Wheels Rockland (NY) and Senior Resources Association (FL), participated in the study to provide the home-delivered meal intervention.

The patients' health outcomes were then tracked over a 90-day period. The results also show the value of integrating community-based services with health care providers to ensure seniors receive the full spectrum of support they need post-discharge.

"The data confirms that collaboration between health care and community organizations plays a critical role in improving senior health outcomes," said Spencer. "By strengthening these connections, we successfully reached senior patients in need through the hospitals and secondary referral sources, resulting in better health and overall well-being."

Better coordination between health care organizations and community-based organizations like Meals on Wheels can bridge critical gaps in care, ensuring that seniors stay healthy and avoid unnecessary hospital readmissions.

To learn more about the WellSky Foundation, visit wellskyfoundation.org.