Center on Aging partners on a new grant to address nutritional needs in older adults with multiple chronic conditions
The Eastern Area Agency on Aging, in partnership with St. Joseph’s Healthcare, the University of Maine Center on Aging and Senscio Systems, has received a three-year, $750,000 award from the Administration for Community Living to establish and test an innovative, technology-driven, nutrition enhancement and self-management program for older adults with multiple chronic diseases.
The three-year project aims to improve the nutritional and health status of rural adults 60 and older with multiple chronic conditions immediately following hospital discharge. Improving their nutritional status and, in turn, positively impacting their health-related quality of life could make it easier for chronically ill older adults to age in place.
Project partners will create an in-home nutritional module that can be locally tailored to individual health and cultural considerations including nutrition tips, coaching and healthy recipes. The project partners will work to create a practical program manual that will enable other Area Agencies on Aging nationwide to incorporate similar user-friendly technology paired with medically tailored meal configurations and menus for older adults with multiple chronic conditions.
UMaine’s Center on Aging will be responsible for performing all research and evaluation functions associated with this project.
“This project is a prime example of how medical and social services, higher education and business organizations can effectively join forces and work together,” says Lenard Kaye, director of the Center on Aging and professor of social work. “We are hopeful that such a partnership will result in the effective and efficient delivery of cutting-edge technology paired with customized meals delivery leading to reduced health care costs and improved well-being of older adults in the community.”
Contact: Margaret Nagle, 207.581.3745