Senator Gallivan Applauds Funding to Support Nutritional Services for Older New Yorkers

Senator Patrick M. Gallivan (R-C-I, Elma) applauds the distribution of $74.6 million in state and federal funding to 59 county-based agencies on aging to support programs to improve access to nutritional and disease prevention services for older New Yorkers.  These services help more than 238,000 residents by improving access to nutritional information, education, counseling and healthy foods in order to reduce the effect of chronic disease associated with diet.  

“Maintaining a healthy diet and staying physically active is important for everyone, but it can become a challenge as we age,” Gallivan said.  “These programs help ensure that older New Yorkers who are in need have access to healthy food and have the tools and information they need to stay active, prevent disease and enhance their quality of life.” 

The funding includes $3.4 million for Erie County, $242,622 for Wyoming County, $281,137 for Livingston County and $2.1 million for Monroe County.  

Services supported by the funding will help provide healthy dining options at more than 700 community sites across the state; home-delivered meals for 62,000 older individuals; nutrition counseling and education for more than 300,000 people; and assistance with applying for benefits, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, to combat hunger.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, poor diet and physical inactivity are among the leading causes of disability among Americans and cause one-third of premature deaths.  Malnutrition affects one out of four older Americans and is a factor in half of all hospital admissions and re-admissions of older people.