At least one in nine seniors are at-risk of going hungry due to the inability to obtain sufficient food for their household or having to choose between food and medical care. During August and September Comfort Keepers in State College is asking the community to make food donations to the STOP Senior Hunger food drive to help local seniors and raise awareness for this growing epidemic that impacts millions of older Americans trying to remain healthy and independent.
“Hunger Action Month is in September, but seniors go hungry all year,” said David Hellyer, Owner, of the State College, PA franchise. “We can’t fight every factor affecting hunger, but we can start here in our community by creating awareness about the issue and helping family members become more aware of the signs of hunger and malnutrition.”
Hunger can lead to malnutrition and other serious health problems in seniors. In fact, it is estimated that as many as 85% of seniors in the care of others are at risk for malnutrition. Malnutrition is the result of the body not absorbing enough nutrients due to inaccessibility. Signs of malnutrition may include sudden weight gain or loss, bruising, or dental difficulties, sudden changes in taste, or a general disinterest in eating. For seniors, malnutrition means the potential for increased hospital stays, increased health complications, early entry into assisted living facilities and premature death.
In response to a growing need for awareness about senior hunger, the Comfort Keepers system has launched a nationwide campaign called STOP Senior Hunger to create awareness for the importance of a healthy diet for those 65 and over. This senior nutrition campaign aims to help seniors preserve their independence by providing diet and nutrition information, encouragement and necessities.
In the local market, Comfort Keepers in State College has placed food collection bins at the following locations:
Comfort Keepers, 915A Benner Pike, State College
Goddard School, 1545 Westerly Parkway, State College
HealthSouth, 550 West College Avenue, Pleasant Gap
Hearthside Rehabilitation & Nursing Center, 450 Waupelani Drive, State College
Coleville Wesleyan Church, 326 Lower Coleville Road, Bellefonte
State College Food Bank, 276 West Hamilton Avenue
For more information or if you would like to help on the local STOP Senior Hunger campaign, please contact your local Comfort Keeper office at 814-861-1600. The food that’s collected will go to the State College Food Bank.
Comfort Keepers is a leading franchise network in the in-home care market for senior and other adults needing care. Since its founding in 1998, the company has grown to more than 600 franchised locations around the world by staying true to the founders’ goal of providing in-home care services that allow clients the opportunity to age in place. In August of 2009, the brand was strengthened even further by the purchase of the franchisor, C K Franchising, Inc., by Sodexo, one of the world’s leading food and facilities management services companies and the global leader in the health care and seniors markets. For more information, visit www.comfortkeepers.com.