Designing and Implementing Ethnic Congregate Nutrition Programs for Older Americans

ABSTRACT

Montgomery County in Maryland is one of the most ethnically diverse regions in the United States. Since the 1970s, traditional American and Kosher meals have been offered at congregate sites in this County, but few seniors of varied ethnicity participated. This article describes creative approaches used in the County Senior Nutrition Program within the Older Americans Act from 1990 to 2007 to develop nutrition sites targeted to seniors in Korean, Vietnamese, and Chinese communities. The services provided are culturally sensitive, and the meals meet both nutritional and food safety standards. With secure funding, programs can be made available to other ethnic groups.

KEYWORDS:

• Congregate Nutrition Programs
• ethnic seniors

The author would like to acknowledges Charles A. Smith (PhD, LCSW-C) for providing the demographic statistics of the nation and Montgomery County.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Marilyn T. Mower

Marilyn T. Mower (MA, RD, LDN) is Director, Senior Nutrition Program, Department of Health & Human Services, Aging & Disability Services, Montgomery County, Maryland, USA.