March 2022: Older Americans Act National Senior Nutrition Program Month

WHEREAS, on March 22, 1972, President Richard Nixon signed into law a measure that amended the Older Americans Act of 1965 and established a national nutrition program for seniors 60 years and older; and,

 

WHEREAS, Michigan is home to nearly 2.5 million adults age 60 and older, representing nearly one quarter of our population; and,

 

WHEREAS, according to the United Health Foundation, in 2020, nearly 12 percent of Michiganders age 60 and older faced food insecurity; and,

 

WHEREAS, social isolation can complicate health care and negatively impact physical health and well-being, especially in older adults; and,

 

WHEREAS, the Older Americans Act (OAA) Nutrition Services Program provides grants to states and U.S. territories to support congregate and home-delivered nutrition for individuals aged 60 and older; and,

 

WHEREAS, nutrition services authorized under OAA are designed to promote the health and well-being of older individuals and are intended to:

• Reduce hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition of older adults
• Promote the health and well-being of older people by helping them gain access to nutrition and other disease prevention and health promotion services, with the hope of delaying the onset of adverse health conditions resulting from poor nutrition or sedentary behavior; and,

WHEREAS, OAA nutrition programs target adults age 60 and older who have the greatest social and economic need, with particular attention to the following groups:

• Low-income older adults
• Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) older individuals
• Older adults in rural communities
• Older individuals with limited English proficiency
• Older adults at risk of institutional care; and,

WHEREAS, ?in fiscal year 2021, Michigan's aging network provided a total of 8,845,639 home-delivered meals to 50,550 individuals and a total of 1,408,799 congregate meals to 28,810 individuals; and,

 

WHEREAS, March 2022 commemorates the 50^th anniversary of the OAA National Senior Nutrition Program which continues to fund local agencies and organizations to serve home-delivered and congregate meals that help to ensure older adults have opportunities to stay healthy, independent, and connected;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim March 2022 as Older Americans Act National Senior Nutrition Program Month in Michigan and encourage any older Michigander facing food insecurity to contact their local Area Agency on Aging to learn about programs and resources.