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Abstract
Home-delivered meals have shown considerable promise in overcoming nutritional challenges among homebound older adults facing food insecurity and the risk of diabetes, while nutrition counseling provides knowledge and skills for diabetes management. The purpose of this study was to identify the impact of a program combining nutrition counseling with home-delivered meals by examining the use of hospital services 6 months before and after participating in the program. This study included 1009 clients who are at risk for diabetes and who received home-delivered meals and nutrition counseling via Meals on Wheels in Fort Worth, Texas. Hospital service data were extracted from a regional claims database. Generalized linear models were performed to examine changes in use of hospital services 6 months before and after program participation. The mean number of emergency department visits and hospitalizations decreased from 0.69 to 0.50 (p < .001) and from 0.35 to 0.22 (p < .001), respectively. The findings of this study indicate that combining structured nutritional counseling with home-delivered meals may contribute to reducing healthcare use among older adults facing the challenges of diabetes and food insecurity.
Acknowledgments
This study derived from the evaluation of the Healthy Aging and Independent Living (HAIL; current title: LIVE WELL) Initiative supported by funding provided by the United Way of Tarrant County. The HAIL (LIVE WELL) Initiative implements strategies that help people with chronic disabling conditions and their caregivers learn to live well in the community. For this study, the authors used the evaluation data implemented and collected by Meals on Wheels, Inc., of Tarrant County, which was supported by funding provided by the United Way of Tarrant County and the Area Agency on Aging of Tarrant County, Texas. The authors acknowledge the project staff of the United Way of Tarrant County as well as the staff of Meals on Wheels, Inc., of Tarrant County for their collaboration.