21 Apr 2014 Emeritus at Trillium Park helps combat senior hunger
For the second year in row, Emeritus at Trillium Park is seeking to help combat senior malnutrition by joining in Emeritus’ nationwide effort to deliver more than 10,000 meals to seniors across America in the next 60 days in honor of National Food Month.
According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, 4 million seniors in America – nearly one in 10 – suffer from poor nutrition. Malnutrition can result from many factors, including a loss of interest in eating due to weakened taste buds, loneliness, poverty or ailing health. Unfortunately, not getting a healthy diet exacerbates many of these same issues resulting in depression, improper healing and a depressed immune system.
Emeritus at Trillium Park, part of Emeritus Senior Living, the nation’s largest assisted living and memory care provider, is renewing its successful “10,000 Meals in 60 days” campaign by delivering meals to seniors in need and visiting with them to ensure they are able to get the nutrition they need every day.
“Seniors may not get the nutrition they need for a variety of reasons,” said Chris Zimmerman, dining services director. “For some, it’s due to a lack of financial resources; for others, a lack of reliable transportation. And in many cases, isolation and depression have caused seniors to lose interest in cooking and eating healthfully.”
The “10,000 Meals” campaign is an extension of Emeritus at Trillium Park’s Home Visits program, where dedicated senior living professionals visit people in their home to identify where they could use help and connect them with the services they need.
“We are committed to making sure that every senior in need in this area finds the combination of programs and services that serves them best, even if they do not live with us,” said Barbara Flowers, executive director. “The 10,000 Meals initiative also supports our ‘Safely Somewhere’ program, ensuring that no matter where a senior lives, they are safe and living a purposeful life.”
To help meet their goal, Emeritus at Trillium Park is asking for the community’s help. Individuals who know of a local senior who could use a nutritious meal, are asked to call 501.513.4300.
“We’ll deliver the meal along with a friendly face and some good conversation,” said Flowers.
Emeritus Senior Living is the largest assisted living and memory care provider in the United States, with the ability to serve nearly 54,000 residents. More than 31,000 employees support approximately 510 communities throughout 45 states coast to coast. Emeritus offers the spectrum of senior residential choices, care options and life enrichment programs that fulfill individual needs and promote purposeful living during the aging process.
Senior living service offerings include independent living, assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, home health care and rehabilitation services. Emeritus experts provide insights on senior living, care, wellness, brain health and family topics at emeritus.com, which also offers details on the organization’s family-focused philosophy and services.
