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Hunger Among Americas Seniors is Growing, Says
Council on Aging
 Federal, State programs found on BenefitsCheckup can
help
April 6, 2005 - Despite living in the world's most
bountiful food- producing country, the number of senior citizens who
suffer from hunger in the U.S. is growing rapidly, according to The
National Council on the Aging (NCOA). According to the USDA, more than
three quarters of a million Americans over 65 and living alone have
difficulty providing themselves with a steady supply of food and
experience some degree of hunger.
There are federal and state programs that can help.
They include the Food Stamp Program, the Elderly Nutrition Program -
Congregate or Group Meals, and the Elderly Nutrition Program - Home
Delivered Meals. But, about 60 percent of those who qualify for federal
and state programs like these have not enrolled.
Seniors can find out quickly if they qualify for
nutrition programs by using BenefitsCheckUp at
www.benefitscheckup.org.
NCOA says it is the first of its kind, free,
confidential, Web-based service designed to identify benefits and help
people over 55 determine how to claim them. Last year alone, more than
275,000 people used BenefitsCheckUp and, among users, about 100,400
found they were eligible for nutrition benefits they were not yet
receiving.
"Hunger can be life-threatening," said NCOA
President and CEO James Firman. "Seniors who experience hunger are at
risk for serious health problems. Hunger increases the risk for stroke,
exacerbates pre-existing ill health conditions, limits the efficiency of
many prescription drugs, and may affect brain chemistry increasing the
incidence of depression and isolation. BenefitsCheckUp is a quick and
easy way to see if you or someone you know qualifies for programs that
can save lives as well as hundreds or even thousands of dollars a year."
BenefitsCheckUp can also help seniors find health care programs,
prescription drug assistance, in-home services, energy assistance,
financial assistance, legal services, housing assistance and property
tax programs, as well as employment programs and volunteer
opportunities. Since the service was launched in 2001, more than 1.4
million reports identifying benefits programs have been completed.
About NCOA
Founded in 1950, The National Council on the Aging is a national network
of organizations and individuals dedicated to improving the health and
independence of older persons, and to increasing their continuing
contributions to communities, society and future generations. For more
information on NCOA, visit
www.ncoa.org. The NCOA
president and CEO is James Firman.
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