Nutrition programs for older adults in the city

Iris Bonet is a retired woman who worries about how expensive food is, especially for older adults like her.

“Things are so expensive, so expensive but you have to eat, you have to eat, so expensive.”

However, there are places where you can go…

“Yes, this one gives fruit and this one gives vegetables, yes.”

He assures that he goes to senior centers in his community where, in addition to enjoying himself with colleagues, he receives food.

Lorraine Cortez-Vasquez, Commissioner, Department of Aging, NYC says:

“The meals are there to represent the needs, religion and customs of the elderly person.”

According to data from the non-profit organization, City Meals, which helps fight hunger in the city, one in ten older adults suffers from hunger problems in the city.

According to the commissioner of the department of aging, Aging NYC, the city has more than 300 community centers.

“Having social services, sharing time with other friends in the community and also having lunch,” explains Lorraine Cortez-Vasquez.

Aging NYC offers food delivery programs for seniors with physical limitations.

“We send food daily to that individual. There are eighteen thousand people who receive their food at home,” adds Cortez-Vasquez.

And in addition, they offer other services.

“Sometimes they have a doctor and a nurse to check our blood pressure, to see if we have health problems and that… To tell us to go to the doctor and things like that,” says Bonet.

To apply for nutrition programs, you must be 60 years old or older, and immigration status does not matter.

If you want to know where the nearest senior center is in your community, and the nutrition services available in the senior department, you can call 212-244-6469.

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