OVERLAND PARK, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The WellSky Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to improving quality of life for vulnerable populations, today 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 (SDOH), 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.
"At the WellSky Foundation, our mission is to support initiatives that create meaningful health improvements for underserved populations," said Brett Fuller, executive director of the WellSky Foundation. "That’s why we’re proud to have contributed to this study, and we believe its findings will help shape how the health care industry addresses key factors of seniors' health, like food insecurity."
For more details, download the full study or register for an upcoming webinar highlighting the results presented by Meals on Wheels America and the WellSky Foundation.
About the WellSky® Foundation
The WellSky Foundation is a nonprofit dedicated to improving the quality of life for vulnerable populations by removing social barriers to health, recovery, and lasting wellness. The WellSky Foundation is an engine for change, financially supporting organizations that enable care and healing for people, regardless of socioeconomic status. With a deep understanding of the social determinants of health, the WellSky Foundation partners with community organizations that are boldly addressing the top four socioeconomic factors affecting long-term wellness — housing, food insecurity, transportation, and isolation. The WellSky Foundation is committed to funding and supporting organizations that protect the people and communities they serve and create better outcomes for people in need. Together with our community partners, the WellSky Foundation is breaking down social barriers to health and wellness to build thriving communities. To learn more about the WellSky Foundation, visit wellskyfoundation.org.
About Meals on Wheels America
Meals on Wheels America is the leadership organization supporting the more than 5,000 community-based programs across the country that are dedicated to addressing senior hunger and isolation. Powered by a trusted volunteer workforce, this network delivers a comprehensive solution that begins with a meal and is proven to enable independence and well-being through the additional benefits of tailored nutrition, social connection, safety and much more. By providing funding, programming, education, research and advocacy, Meals on Wheels America empowers its local member programs to strengthen their communities, one senior at a time. For more information, or to find a Meals on Wheels provider near you, visit mealsonwheelsamerica.org.
