Summary
The Older Americans Act Nutrition Program and the Summer Food Service Program were combined to provide a unique intergenerational meal program in rural Oklahoma. Focus groups consisting of older adults, children, and site staff were conducted to assess satisfaction. Older adults expressed satisfaction in seeing children at their site and felt they were contributing to the children's well-being. The children appreciated eating at the senior center and meeting friends; they plan to return next summer. Staff reported providing meals for the children in the summer as important, and they observed interactions between children and older adults. This program has potential for being replicated in other communities.
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Extract
Feeding the Generations: A Unique Intergenerational Nutrition Program
The Older Americans Act Nutrition Program (OAANP) was created in 1965 to delay premature institutionalization of older adults by providing opportunities for social contact and improved nutritional intake (Kretser, Voss, Kerr, Cavadini, & Friedmann, 2003). It is the largest community nutrition program for older persons in the United States. The OAANP provides nutritious meals that meet one-third of the Recommended Dietary Allowances (United States Administration on Aging, 2005) for all persons over age 60. The program targets those in the greatest economic or social need, although there is no income requirement to participate.
In Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Department of Human Services: Aging Services Division administers the program to a network of 11 area agencies on aging and 22 nutrition...See the full content of this document
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