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Nutrition programs in
california
EAT WELL TO AGE WELL
NEW STORY!
1. Sign up for emergency alerts: Visit CalAlerts.org to sign up for alerts in your area. Consider signing up for alerts in an older loved one’s area too.
Eating well is essential to maintain health and vitality as people age. Did you know older adult nutrition needs are different from those of younger people? Older adults often require fewer calories but more nutrients, and chronic health conditions can impact nutrient needs too. California has provided meals, nutrition services, and social connections for older adults for more than 50 years. A variety of programs and resources help ensure older Californians have access to nutritious food.
On many afternoons, Garret can be found enjoying a meal at Curry Senior Center in San Francisco. The center is one of 11 sites where Project Open Hand provides warm, nutritious meals daily. Garret is a regular: “I enjoy meeting people, celebrating cultures, and getting nutrition.”
Joining group meals at senior centers, community centers, and other gathering places offers more than just a healthy meal. Congregate meal participants receive nutritious meals and benefit from nutrition education and nutrition risk screening. Meals follow the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) and provide a minimum of one-third of the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI) in each meal, which helps to support the nutritional needs of older adults. These gatherings also provide valuable opportunities to socialize and form new friendships. Adults 60 and older can participate, in addition to spouses and people with disabilities who live with and accompany a participating older adult. There is no cost, but participants may make voluntary contributions for their meal.
2. Make a disaster-ready plan: Create a list of contact information you may need; decide where to meet if you’re separated from loved ones; practice your plan.
3. Pack a go bag: To grab when you need to leave quickly, including important documents and items for each family member, keys, wallet, identification, phone and charger, and medication.
4. Pack a stay box: Include basic supplies for when you can’t leave home, such as food that won’t spoil, water, a flashlight, trash bags, and medication – enough for three days.
5. Help friends and neighbors: Exchange contact information with your neighbors and plan how you might work together in an emergency.
• Water
• Non-perishable food
• Medication, especially prescriptions
• list of prescriptions
• Eyeglasses
• Copies of important documents
• List of important phone numbers
• Cash
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• FIRST AID KIT
• WHISTLE, TO SIGNAL FOR HELP
• MOIST TOWELETTES, GARBAGE BAGS, AND PLASTIC
TIES FOR PERSONAL SANITATION
• PERSONAL HYGIENE ITEMS
• MANUAL CAN OPENER
• CELL PHONE CHARGER
• BACKUP BATTERY
What should older adults put in a
go bag?
Trusted connections with family, friends, caregivers, and healthcare providers are crucial to ensure older adults’ and adults with disabilities’ needs are met during emergencies. Important considerations include:
5 Readiness Actions
• Emergency Preparedness Guide
• MyHazards
• CalAlerts
• Listos California
• Ready.gov
• Medicare: Care in an Emergency
Quick Links
HEALTHY EATING AND EXERCISE RESOURCES
CalFresh Grocery Benefits
WATER
NON-PERISHABLE FOOD
MEDICATION, ESPECIALLY PRESCRIPTIONS
LIST OF PRESCRIPTIONS
EYEGLASSES
COPIES OF IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS
LIST OF IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS
CASH
FLASHLIGHT AND EXTRA BATTERIES
FIRST AID KIT
WHISTLE, TO SIGNAL FOR HELP
MOIST TOWELETTES, GARBAGE BAGS, AND PLASTIC TIES FOR PERSONAL SANITATION
PERSONAL HYGIENE ITEMS
MANUAL CAN OPENER
CELL PHONE CHARGER
BACKUP BATTERY
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The CalFresh Program provides monthly food benefits to income-qualified people who can now receive benefits if they receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or State Supplementary Payment (SSP). CalFresh enables older adults to buy nutritious food at grocery stores and farmers’ markets. Older adults may be able to get help applying for CalFresh benefits through their local Area Agency on Aging. Call 800-510-2020 or visit the CalFresh webpage to learn more.
For those who would benefit from meal delivery because of illness, disability, isolation, or other factors, the Home-Delivered Meals Program is an ideal option. Participants receive healthy meals that meet the DGAs and provide a minimum of one-third of the DRIs in each meal, which is essential for older adult health. Nutrition education and nutrition risk screening are also provided to support overall well-being, along with other supportive services to help participants remain independent and in their own homes. Californians 60 and older who require meal delivery are eligible. Spouses and people with disabilities who live with the participating older adult are eligible too. As with group meals, participants are welcome to make voluntary contributions.
“I get what I need to sustain myself! I don't have to pay, I don't have to cook, and I don't have to worry about the stove,” says Henry. The nutritious home-delivered meals have helped him to get the food he needs. “I have so many good things to say about my experiences. I can really feel they care,” he says. “I don't know where I would be without Meals on Wheels Diablo Region.”
Both congregate and home-delivered meals are available in all 58 counties throughout the state. Call 800-510-2020 or visit Find Services in My County to improve your nutrition, expand your social circle, and connect with meal programs in your area. But nutritious meals aren’t the only food-related offering to help older adults access fresh, nutritious food.
Healthy Eating and Exercise Resources
Food Banks and Emergency Food Resources
First Steps to Recovery
The CalFresh Program provides monthly food benefits to income-qualified people who can now receive benefits if they receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or State Supplementary Payment (SSP). CalFresh enables older adults to buy nutritious food at grocery stores and farmers’ markets. Older adults may be able to get help applying for CalFresh benefits through their local Area Agency on Aging. Call 800-510-2020 or visit the CalFresh webpage to learn more.
People of all ages can find food assistance through state and local organizations. Call 211 or visit 211.org for resources in your community. Information is also available from the California Department of Social Services and local food banks.
Many of California’s Area Agencies on Aging offer CalFresh Healthy Living services, which provide eligible people with resources to support healthy, active lifestyles. Physical activity and mobility classes are also offered to enable independence and help people stay in their homes. The program builds partnerships in communities to make the healthy choice the easy choice. Call 800-510-2020 or visit aging.ca.gov to learn more.
Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program
The Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) provides fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally grown produce, herbs, and raw honey through Certified Farmers’ Markets. Area Agencies on Aging help issue Farmers’ Market cards to eligible individuals who are 60 and older and on a limited income. Call 800-510-2020 or visit Find Services in My County to contact your Area Agency on Aging and learn where SFMNP benefits will be distributed near you.
California’s variety of meal programs and food resources are available to adults aged 60 and over. For more information about nutrition and other available resources, contact your local Area Agency on Aging by calling 800-510-2020 or visiting Find Services in My County.
Eating well is essential to maintain health and vitality as people age. Did you know older adult nutrition needs are different from those of younger people? Older adults often require fewer calories but more nutrients, and chronic health conditions can impact nutrient needs too. California has provided meals, nutrition services, and social connections for older adults for more than 50 years. A variety of programs and resources help ensure older Californians have access to nutritious food.
On many afternoons, Garret can be found enjoying a meal at Curry Senior Center in San Francisco. The center is one of 11 sites where Project Open Hand provides warm, nutritious meals daily. Garret is a regular: “I enjoy meeting people, celebrating cultures, and getting nutrition.”
Joining group meals at senior centers, community centers, and other gathering places offers more than just a healthy meal. Congregate meal participants receive nutritious meals and benefit from nutrition education and nutrition risk screening. Meals follow the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) and provide a minimum of one-third of the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI) in each meal, which helps to support the nutritional needs of older adults. These gatherings also provide valuable opportunities to socialize and form new friendships. Adults 60 and older can participate, in addition to spouses and people with disabilities who live with and accompany a participating older adult. There is no cost, but participants may make voluntary contributions for their meal.
Many of California’s Area Agencies on Aging offer CalFresh Healthy Living services, which provide eligible people with resources to support healthy, active lifestyles. Physical activity and mobility classes are also offered to enable independence and help people stay in their homes. The program builds partnerships in communities to make the healthy choice the easy choice. Call 800-510-2020 or visit aging.ca.gov to learn more.
FOOD BANKS AND EMERGENCY FOOD RESOURCES
SENIOR FARMERS’ MARKET NUTRITION PROGRAM
People of all ages can find food assistance through state and local organizations. Call 211 or visit 211.org for resources in your community. Information is also available from the California Department of Social Services and local food banks.
The Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) provides fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally grown produce, herbs, and raw honey through Certified Farmers’ Markets. Area Agencies on Aging help issue Farmers’ Market cards to eligible individuals who are 60 and older and on a limited income. Call 800-510-2020 or visit Find Services in My County to contact your Area Agency on Aging and learn where SFMNP benefits will be distributed near you.
California’s variety of meal programs and food resources are available to adults aged 60 and over. For more information about nutrition and other available resources, contact your local Area Agency on Aging by calling 800-510-2020 or visiting Find Services in My County.
