Bay Alarm Medical Joins Feeding America in the Fight Against Hunger

October 31, 2013

This holiday season, Bay Alarm Medical is partnering with Feeding America to join the fight against hunger. Over the next few months, we’ll be donating a portion of our profits to help feed hungry Americans all across the country.

Picture this…

Your grandma has been working in the automotive industry for over 18 years. She thinks that her job is solid and she never worries about where her next meal will come from. One day she gets the shock of her life when she’s let go from her job due to the sudden downturn of the economy. Before she even has a chance to realize what this all means, she finds that she can no longer afford to eat.

This is the real-life situation affecting Helen Wolfe of Detroit, and that of many other seniors spread out across the U.S. Helen’s story was featured in a documentary by The Huffington Post that chronicles the struggles of the masses of seniors suffering from food insecurity today.

Wouldn’t you do everything in your power to stop this from happening to your grandparent? We would. That is why Bay Alarm Medical is partnering with Feeding America for all of this month and next month to join the fight against Senior Hunger in the U.S.

Senior Food Insecurity in the U.S.

Poverty and starvation in the U.S. are major issues surrounding all age groups. However, seniors have a unique set of health needs and challenges that make them more profoundly affected by these issues.

Lately, more attention has been given to the issue of Senior Food Insecurity. AARP and NFESH (National Foundation to End Senior Hunger) have been producing documentaries and reports detailing just how big of a growing issue this really is.

According to Feeding America, in 2011 “4.8 million Americans over the age of 60 were food insecure. This constitutes 8.4% of all seniors in the U.S.” Many seniors live below the poverty line, and while they may have enough money to pay for food, they may no longer have the physical acuity to prepare nutritionally-adequate meals.

Many seniors are on a fixed income, and with increasing ailments of growing older seniors are spending a lot on medical care and many don’t have much money leftover for food.

Here are 5 ways that YOU can help end Senior Hunger:

1.) Help Feeding America by starting a food drive in your community. Click here for more details.

2.) Help spread awareness of Senior Hunger by donating to Feeding America here.

3.) Contact your local Meals on Wheels Program to see how you can help. They need all forms of help: drivers, runners, admin assistance, meal prep, telephone callers, and senior center aides.

4.) Learn the signs of malnutrition in seniors so you can protect your loved ones. Comfort Keepers, an in-home senior care provider, franchise owners have developed a clever mnemonic to help you memorize the signs:

“WATCH”

Watch for physical problems like “bruising, dental difficulties, or sudden weight gain or loss.”

Ask seniors about their eating habits so you can note if there are any odd changes in tastes or preferences.

Talk to a doctor. Ask a doctor how you can help ensure that your senior’s nutritional needs are met or for help with managing any diseases they might have.

Check with a pharmacist. Check your loved ones prescriptions for any possible food interactions that may cause them harm.

Have your visits during meal time. Schedule a visit with your senior during meal times so you can observe their eating habits.

5.) Spread the word about seniors struggling with hunger on Social Media sites such as Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. You could also host screenings of AARP’s Hungry In The West End documentary at your home to educate friends and family about the issues.

 

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