Nutrition & Healthy Aging

Click Links to jump down to: Healthy Aging Update | Dietary Guidelines for Americans I My Plate I Chef Charles Club I Seniors Farmers Market Nutrition Program I Nutrition and Health Resources

Nutrition Program - The Iowa Department on Aging’s nutrition program is provided to Iowans over the age of 60 with the assistance of Area Agencies on Aging. The program provides congregate and home delivered meals that meet federal and state requirements for one-third of the Dietary Reference Intakes and the Dietary Guidelines for American thus making a healthy meal for older adults. The meals are appropriate for individuals who need low fat/low cholesterol, low salt, and high fiber. Many of the meals provide fruit for dessert so they are appropriate for people with diabetes. The purpose of the nutrition program is:

1. to reduce hunger and food insecurity;
2. to promote socialization of older individuals; and
3. to promote the health and well-being of older individuals by assisting such individuals to gain access to nutrition and other disease prevention and health promotion services to delay the onset of adverse health conditions resulting from poor nutritional health or sedentary behavior.

For information about the availability of nutrition service in your area, contact your local Area Agency on Aging.

• Congregate Nutrition Program - 2012
• The Older Americans Act Nutrition Program - 2012
• INAPIS Nutrition Services Fact Sheet

Healthy Aging Update - This is a bi-monthly newsletter developed by the Iowa Department on Aging. The electronic newsletter provides information on nutrition and general healthy aging topics. The newsletter is meant to provide readers with the latest information on healthy aging and management of the Elderly Nutrition Program.

• April 1, 2013 Quality Nutrition Program, March for Meals, Program Data Beneficial, Health Vending Options, Iowa Code, Age of Champions, Dark Green Vegetables, Food Insecurity, Depression, Resources

• February 1, 2013 Home Delivered Meals, Fact Sheet: Congregate Participation, Iowa Administrative Code, Nutrition Counseling, National Resources Center on Nutrition & Aging, Summer Food Service Program for Children, Opportunity for You, Physical Guidelines for Older Adults, Sodium Reduction Campaign, Resources

• December 1, 2012 Invest in LTSS, Controlling Food Costs, Nutrition Program Participation, National Resource Center on Nutrition and Aging, Medicare: Preventative Services, Blue Zones, Fit for Life, Healthiest State Initiative, Iowa Community Transformation Grant, Community Health Needs Assessment, AARP Drive to End Hunger.

• October 3, 2012 Shingles, Iowa Administrative Code 5.15 (7), A Million Hearts, Blood Pressure, Transitional Care, Promoting Meal Site Attendance, Building Infrastructure, Matter of Balance, Meals on Wheels Conference, Menu Planning, Resources.

• August 3, 2012 Matter of Balance, Iowa Administrative Code, AAA Nutrition Program Survey, Guidelines for Alchol Use, Food Assistance Presentations, Nutrition Education May Reduce Burden for Family Caregivers, Health Promotion Education Material, Information About Balance

• June 1, 2012 Hunger: Growing Problem for Older Iowans, Connecting Food and Health, Risk for Institutional Placement, Price of Healthy Foods, NCOA Update: CDSMP, GenAge Cafe Menu, Signs of Stroke, Iowa Falls Prevention Summit, Living to be 100, Increasing Meal Participation, Resources

• April 1, 2012 March for Mayors Proclamation, Risk Management for Nutrition, Sodium, You Gave, Now Save, Slow Progression of Muscle Loss, Workshop Summary, Food Assistance Presentation, Heritage: MOWAA Grant, Resources, Legume Recipe

• February 1, 2012 National Nutrition Month, Chronic Conditions, NSIP Fund Requirements, Generations AAA Happenings, Seneca AAA Activities, March for Mayors, Fall Prevention, Salt, Better Choices - Better Health, Iowa Food Assistance, Chef Charles Program, How Safe Is Your Kitchen, Resources

• December 1, 2011 Congregate Nutrition Program Overview, 2010 Census Ranking of Older Iowans, Smart Shopping for Fruits and Vegetables, AoA Funds New National Resource Center on Nutrition, Scare Crow Contest, Medicare Preventive Services, Resources

• October 3, 2011 Fall Prevention and Awareness, Blue Zones Project, One-Away, Meals on Wheels Conference, Medical Nutrition Therapy, Nutrition Education, USDA --Raw Meat & Poultry, National Food Day, Sodium Reduction, Resources
  
  
• August 1, 2011 2010 Dietary Guidelines, MyPlate, OAA Health Promotion, Salt has Negative Impact, National Food Day, Grocery Delivery for Senior, Tails-A-Waggin Pet Program, 30 Year Anniversary of HIV, 5 Ways to Prevent Falls, Resoruces.
  
  
• June 1, 2011 Dietary Guidelines, Older Americans Act, Generations Celebrated VE Day, Heritage Revitalizing Meal Sites, Seneca Volunteer Recognition, Mapleton Tornado, Efforts to Reduce Sodium, Better Choices Better Health On-Line Program, How Do I Know if I'm Depressed?, Milk Quality Check List, Resources.
  
  
• April 1, 2011 2010 Dietary Guidelines, Marketing Nutrition Program, New Projects at Heritage, Mini Nutrition Assessment, Profile of Older Americans, March for Mayors, Proclamation, Preventative Services, Facts About Food Production, Loneliness, New, Food Labeling System, Eggs have lower cholesterol, Volunteers, Resources
  
  
• February 3,2011 OAA  Nutrition Program Benefits Older Iowans, Food Safety Training, March for Mayors, MOWAA Conference, Comparing Food Prices, Education, Chef Charles Program, New Labeling Requirements, Iowans Fit For Life, Muscles for Older Adults, Iowa Food and Farm Facts, Nutrition Education: Beans, Resources
  
  
• December 6, 2010 Better Choices/Better Health, IAC-Menus, Nursing Home Discharge Planning, Public Health Needs Assessment, Live Healthy Iowa, Medicare LTC Costs,ISU Focus Groups, Iowans Fit for Life, Preparing for Winter, Medicare Preventive Services, Resources

Visit the Healthy Aging Update Archives to view past issues.

• 2010
• 2009
• 2008
• 2007
• 2006

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Dietary Guidelines for Americans
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010, released on January 31, 2011, emphasize three major goals for Americans:

• Balance calories with physical activity to manage weight
• Consume more of certain foods and nutrients such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fat-free and low-fat dairy products, and seafood
• Consume fewer foods with sodium (salt), saturated fats, trans fats, added sugars, and refined grains

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010 include 23 Key Recommendations for the general population, and six additional Key Recommendations for specific population groups, such as older adults. The recommendations are intended to help people choose an overall healthy diet. To access the guidelines visit http://www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines/dga2010/DietaryGuidelines2010.pdf

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My Plate -The US Department of Agriculture introduced a new visual guide designed to help Americans have balanced diets. MyPlate has replaced the food pyramid. MyPlate is designed to remind Americans to eat healthfully and places more emphasis on fruits and vegetables. MyPlate is simple and easy to understand as it illustrates the five food groups on a familiar mealtime visual, the plate. Visit choosemyplate.gov to learn more about this change.

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Chef Charles Club: Nutrition Program for Older Adults - Many older adults are not consuming a diet that will help them stay as healthy as possible. According to the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS 2009), only 20 percent of adults 65-74 years of age in Iowa report eating the recommended five servings of fruits and vegetables daily. Unfortunately poor nutritional health hastens many diseases associated with aging. As older adults chronically consume an inadequate diet, they are more likely to have an unhealthy weight, experience decline in both mental and physical health, and have a higher risk of dying.

Older adults want to stay healthy, active and independent. Good nutrition and physically activity are necessary to achieve this goal. To provide information about good nutrition and physical activity the Iowa Department on Aging is promoting the Chef Charles Nutrition education program developed by the Iowa Department of Public Health and USDA Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP-ED). The program includes monthly newsletters for older adults and companion leader materials for presenting nutrition education based on the newsletters. Chef Charles materials may be accessed at http://www.idph.state.ia.us/nutritionnetwork/chef_charles.asp.

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Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program- Iowa is one of the state agencies and tribal organizations to receive USDA funds for the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP). The SFMNP is administered by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and provides low-income seniors with coupons that can be exchanged for fresh produce at farmers' markets. These grants provide low-income seniors the opportunity to enrich their diets with highly nutritious fresh fruits and vegetables. Local farmers benefit from the program as well by attracting more customers to their markets for farm fresh products.

In 2010, 21,246 older Iowans participated in the SFMNP and $525,078 in vouchers were redeemed.

The SFMNP vouchers are distributed each spring by the Iowa Area Agencies on Aging. For specific information about obtaining the SFMNP vouchers you may contact your AAA directly at http://www.aging.iowa.gov/aaa/aaacontact.html

Additional information about the SFMNP is available at http://www.fns.usda.gov/fns,  http://www.iowaagriculture.gov/Horticulture_and_FarmersMarkets/farmersMarket
NutritionProgram.asp.

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Nutrition and Health Resources -  

• Key Indicators of Well Being-This report provides the latest data on the 37 key indicators that portray aspects of the lives of older Americans and their families. It is divided into five subject areas: population, economics, health status, health risks and behaviors, and health care. http://www.agingstats.gov/agingstatsdotnet/Main_Site/Default.aspx

• Nutrition Screening- As the older adult population increases so does the prevalence of malnutrition. Malnutrition is association with decline in health and independence. Screening for malnutrition and providing early intervention can lessen or prevent this decline and have a positive impact on quality of life.
• Mini Nutrition Assessment-The MNA®is a validated nutrition screening and assessment tool that can identify older adults age 65 and above who are malnourished or at risk of malnutrition. http://mna-elderly.com/
• DETERMINE your nutritional health.- The ten question on this screening tool are incorporated into the INAPIS or registration form for Iowa Older American Act programs. http://www.healthcare.uiowa.edu/igec/tools/nutrition/determineNutrition.pdf

• Administration on Aging Nutrition Services Resources- AoA provides background information about the Older American Act nutrition program and many useful resource links. http://www.aoa.gov/AoARoot/AoA_Programs/HCLTC/Nutrition_Services/index.aspx

• Food Safety for Older –Older adults are more susceptible to foodborne illness. This resource provides practical guidance to reduce risk for older adults. http://www.fsis.usda.gov/PDF/Food_Safety_for_Older_Adults.pdf

• Stretching Your Food Dollar
  • Iowa State University Extension program “Spend Smart, Eat Smart” provides information on menu planning on a limited budget. http://www.extension.iastate.edu/foodsavings/plan/currentspending/
  • The Iowa Food Assistance Program (food stamps) is available to help people with low incomes obtain healthy food. The application process has become easier and average monthly amount received by older adults has gone up. http://www.dhs.iowa.gov/Consumers/Assistance_Programs/FoodAssistance/index.html
  • Food Banks/Food Pantries http://feedingamerica.org/foodbank-results.aspx?state=IA
  • Commodity Supplemental Food Program provides monthly food packages to low income older adults who live in Polk, Dallas, Boone, Jasper, Warren, and Madison Counties. To learn more about the program visit: http://www.polkcountyiowa.gov/CFYS/pages/SuppFoods.aspx

• SHARE Iowa offers nutritious grocery packages at half the retail cost in exchange for 2 hours of volunteer service. For information on who to contact in your area call SHARE Iowa at 1-800-344-1107. http://www.shareiowa.com/index.php?PAGE_ID=3

• The American Dietetic Association has a variety of nutrition resources including an interactive tool to locate a registered dietitian in your area. http://www.eatright.org/Public/

• Iowa Administrative Code for the nutrition program can be found  in [17] Chapter 7 here.

Disclaimer: The Iowa Department on Aging provides information about food and human nutrition. The materials found on this website are not intended to be used for the diagnosis or treatment of a health problem or as a substitute for consulting a licensed health care professional.