Meals on Wheels
Alan and Rita live in a rural area between Almond and Amherst, in a home they built themselves. As Rita describes it, they love their home but did not consider how it would suit them as they aged. The tri-level design is challenging for Alan, who uses a wheelchair. Their home, set in a beautiful country location with a winding river, presents significant obstacles for them. Their children live far away, and Rita is the primary caregiver for Alan, a polio survivor.
They began using our Rural Home Delivered Meal Service after Rita experienced health issues and started using a walker while receiving in-home health services following a hospital stay. Knowing she needed help but not wanting to leave their home, Rita reached out for assistance. Since June 2023, they have been receiving meal deliveries, and Rita frequently praises the quality of the meals and the kindness of the delivery drivers.
In March 2024, Rita had a severe fall while picking up medication at a gas station, resulting in a brain bleed and 17 stitches. She suffered from intense headaches and was in poor condition. During this period, our volunteer drivers, some of who are retired nurses, carefully observed Rita and Alan’s situation and reported observations. The regular check-ins demonstrated how rural delivered meals is “more than the meal”, we were able to provide referrals for additional support services and reach out to Rita and Alan and other emergency contacts as necessary.
Rita and Alan continue to live in their home with ongoing meal deliveries and regular check-ins from our drivers. As part of our Nutrition Program, we also provide resources and conduct yearly reassessments to ensure their needs are met. Without our services, Rita and Alan would not have been aware of available transportation for shopping and medical appointments. The meal assistance has alleviated a significant burden for Rita as she recovers from her health issues while caring for Alan.
This story is just one example of how our program impacts lives. We have many similar stories where our drivers identify and report concerns. The communication between drivers, staff, and emergency contacts ensures that participants receive the support they need. Our Nutrition Program follows up with participants and makes referrals to additional resources, as necessary.