Ending Hunger in America, 2014 Hunger Report Full Report | Page 119

CHAPTER 3
older Americans fear dependence
Figure 3.10 Poverty Rates for Men and Women Ages 65 or
even more,” says Nancy Wellman,

Above, 2001-2009
writing in the American Journal of
14%
93 Pride is a factor
Clinical Nutrition.
13.0%
Male
Female
if they’ve never sought help from
11.9%
11.7%
12%
11.6%
the government before. Seniors
11.0%
tend to be proud and also mag10%
nanimous—they would rather go
without themselves than take away
8%
7.0%
from a child or another senior in
greater need. But this stance is
5.7%
5.7%
6%
5.6%
5.1%
based on a common misunder4%
standing about how the program
94—that giving benefits to
operates
2%
one person takes them away from
someone else. Instead, because
0%
SNAP is an entitlement along with
2001
2003
2005
2007
2009
Social Security and Medicare,
Figure 3.11 Poverty Rates Across Different Races for Ages 65 or
anyone who qualifies is eligible to

Above, 2001-2009
receive benefits.
35%
Unlike many people her age,
32.5%
White
30.2%
Black
Ms. Jeffers has no qualms about
30%
29.0%
Hispanic
28.4%
using SNAP. She has no pension or
27.0%
Others
25.5%
24.8%
25%
retirement savings even though she
23.0%
22.1%
21.5%
worked until she was 75. She was a
20.0%
20%
domestic worker—one of the lowest18.5%
paid jobs in the United States.
15%
13.7%
Between 2001 and 2010, the risk
12.4%
11.7%
of hunger for seniors increased by
10%
7.7%
78 percent, according to a report
6.6%
6.3%
6.2%
5.9%
by the Meals on Wheels Research
5%
Association, putting the total
0%
number of seniors at risk at 8.3
2001
2003
2005
2007
2009
million.95 The Meals on Wheels
Association is the largest provider
Source: Employee Benefit Research Institute estimates from the Health and Retirement Study
(2002–2010).
of home-delivered and congregate
meals. The seniors it reaches in
these programs have an average of anywhere from six to 15 serious health conditions, need
between six and 26 different medications, and are either homebound or need help going
outside.96 For every dollar invested in Meals on Wheels programs, the government saves $50
in healthcare costs.97
The Older Americans Act (OAA) is the largest funding source of home-delivered and
congregate meals. At a congressional hearing on the reauthorization of the OAA, Meals on
Wheels CEO and President Ellie Hollander reminded committee members, “OAA Nutriwww.bread.org/institute?

? 2014 Hunger Report? 109

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