Our focus with Home Delivered Meals program is to provide nutritious meals to vulnerable adults as well as, to ensure the wellness and safety of everyone we serve. We are able to provide the assistance necessary to the client as well as the caregivers of our clients by not only providing meals daily, but also checking in on them daily.

The Home Delivered Meals, or Meals on Wheels as it is referred to, is so much more than just a meal. The  program improves the health and well-being of older adults several different ways. Of course; nutrition is always going to be the number one way that the program can improve older adult’s lives. The nutrition program is a way to give consistent access to high quality nutritional meals, which provide the support necessary for the client to remain independent in their own home. The program also provides safety; our Home Delivered Meals drivers will keep an eye out for potential dangers and clients that could be in possible harmful situations. This helps the Aging Services Specialist to identify and mitigate safety needs for our clients and assist with solutions and problem solving. 

The Home Delivered Meals program provides socialization through the daily driver deliveries and wellness checks, and  provides individuals with connections to their communities. When completing a home visit for an assessment we are able to see how the client is really doing and are able to assess what the client needs. Our drivers and specialists communicate client’s needs on a daily basis, we are able to identify and follow up on any needs and changes in condition by providing services and connecting clients to other resources and services within the Cortland County Area Agency on Aging and in the community.

The Area Agency on Aging takes the highest precautions and have procedures in place if we as specialists or our drivers enter into a situation where the client’s wellness and safety are at risk. Immediate response, and follow up are held at the highest priority. Most clients that we serve through the Meals on Wheels program report that they enjoy seeing their driver and attribute their home delivered meals to making them feel safer and giving them the ability to eat healthier and remain more independent in their own homes.

For more information on Home Delivered Meals and Meals on Wheels, please contact the Area Agency on Aging at 607-753-5084.