LOCAL PARTNERSHIP AIDS HENDRICKS COUNTY SENIORS Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photography Provided
Roughly half a million adults over the age of 50 reside in central Indiana. According to a report on the state of aging compiled by the Central Indiana Community Foundation and SAVI, a data hub for central Indiana, the older adult population in central Indiana is increasing at six times the rate of the younger population. Moreover, four in 10 adults live alone.
lack of transportation, lack of income or other factors. There are many reasons why someone might not be able to eat healthy meals regularly.
“If you think about risk factors for hunger and what people need, if they aren’t able to prepare a meal for themselves then living alone is going to be a big risk factor,” says Marina Keers, director of Hendricks County Senior Services (HCSS).
Each day HCSS serves meals to their residents prepared by the staff at Hendricks Regional Health (HRH). HRH also prepares meals for Meals on Wheels (MOW), and those meals are individually packaged and delivered to recipients at their homes. Because Hendricks County is growing at such a rapid rate, however, MOW leaders realized they needed to find a way to expand their operation in order to accommodate every senior who needs food. MOW turned to HCSS, which is currently in the process of refurbishing and expanding their kitchen so meals can be packaged there.
In addition, the report states that one in 10 older adults are food insecure. This could be because of lack of access to a grocery store,
For years MOW and HCSS have partnered. It’s a natural partnership because both organizations have similar missions
JUNE 2021
