Challenges Facing Seniors in America

Seniors face many challenges that make it hard to live independently. Chronic health conditions, financial insecurity and changes in mobility can make life harder and make it more difficult for a person to get the nutrition and connection they need. This is why Meals on Wheels is so important.

Citations for statistics:^{1  2  3}

Health Issues

Mobility changes and chronic conditions such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes or arthritis all impact older adults’ daily lives. These can limit a senior’s ability to shop, cook and even eat.

Financial Hardship

Economic hardship is a growing reality for many older adults. As prices climb, their income often stays the same, forcing them to make painful choices. Do they pay the rent, keep the lights on or pay for their medications? For millions, these aren’t hypothetical questions — they’re daily struggles.

Falls and Safety

Over the years, an aging home can become unsafe. Falls are the leading cause of injury in older adults⁴ and can have serious health consequences. Hazards like uneven stairs, slippery floors or poor lighting can increase the likelihood of a fall, making it harder for seniors to stay independent.

Hunger and Malnutrition

Hunger and malnutrition are issues that are intensified for America’s seniors — older adults who face significant barriers to mobility, food access and meal preparation. The meals delivered and served by local Meals on Wheels providers are often the primary or sole source of nutrition for these older adults.

Social Isolation and Loneliness

Social isolation and loneliness are growing issues affecting an increasing number of seniors in our country. Our social networks tend to shrink as we age, and more than a third of older adults who live alone spend almost all of that time by themselves.⁵ For many, the Meals on Wheels volunteer is the only human contact they have all day.

Citations for statistics:^{6  7  8}

Growing Pressure: Increasing Demand

The senior population in the U.S. is growing faster than ever. Right now, 1 in 4 people is over the age of 60, and 12,000 more Americans turn 60 every day.
Families are becoming smaller, and many seniors no longer live near relatives who can help. Without family close by, seniors often rely on community-based services like Meals on Wheels for support.

As the senior population grows, their needs are also increasing. Meals on Wheels providers are already stretched thin, and resources are limited in nearly every community. This puts enormous stress on the local providers across the country who are doing everything they can to keep up.

Citations for statistics:^{9  10  11}

Every year, Meals on Wheels serves over 2 million seniors, but that’s only a fraction of those in need. The Meals on Wheels network is working tirelessly to try to keep up with the increasing demand. Unfortunately, there are significant challenges.

Federal funding for senior services has not kept pace with the growing need. This funding is the only reason some local providers can exist at all. To make matters worse, less than 1% of philanthropic donations goes to senior causes.

As a result, waitlists for services continue to grow. Without increased funding and support, too many seniors will fall through the cracks. The need has never been greater, but together, we can help ensure every senior who needs Meals on Wheels gets it.