Meals on Wheels America affirms benefit of social nutrition programs for seniors

Meals on Wheels America’s new findings from a pilot study quantitatively measure how regular social interaction alleviates feelings of disconnectedness in older adults. The analysis found 53% of participants who received friendly calls and/or visits reported “statistically significant” reductions in social disconnectedness. 

Social isolation and loneliness are growing public health concerns and was declared a national epidemic in 2023 by the US Surgeon General. The negative consequences of social isolation include anxiety, depression, cardiovascular disease, cognitive decline, lower quality of life and increased use of health care services.