The best way to fight loneliness is with real, meaningful connection. A warm hello and a quick chat during a Meals on Wheels delivery might seem small, but it’s a lifeline for homebound seniors. These moments of connection help keep them healthy and safe.
Many local Meals on Wheels providers go beyond meal deliveries with initiatives like friendly calling and visiting. These programs help ensure seniors feel less alone and stay connected to their community, even if they can’t get out as much as they used to.
I’m talking from my heart. I love this program. It makes me feel alive, like someone cares. And I know I’m not the only lonely senior.Meals on Wheels client
92% of Meals on Wheels providers support clients with social connection opportunities beyond the meal
78% of home-delivered meal participants say knowing they will receive regular visits helps them feel safer
53% of participants reported greater social connection after participating in a Meals on Wheels friendly calling program
On the Issue
Loneliness and Isolation
Staying connected is so important for our health and happiness. Relationships challenge us, excite us, keep our minds sharp, and bring joy and new opportunities into our lives.
But as we get older, things change. We might retire, lose loved ones or see our social circle shrink. Someone who used to be active can become isolated as their mobility decreases, and their world starts to feel smaller. Beyond feeling lonely, isolation can seriously impact our health and even shorten our lives.
Meet a Neighborhood Icon
“This Is My Home, My Neighborhood.”
Charlene is an independent and vibrant 82-year-old who has built a life full of love and memories in her cherished Maryland neighborhood. It’s not uncommon to see Charlene out on her porch, maintaining her long-held position as a steady and visible presence in her tightly knit community.
She treasures her home and the independence she’s worked so hard to maintain. Unfortunately, mobility limitations have made it harder for Charlene to get around and stay connected with her neighbors.
“Having somebody come to your house and have compassion for you, I think it’s wonderful,” she says. “It seems like the Meals on Wheels folks were put on this Earth to take care of people. I love this home. I love this neighborhood, and I’m very grateful that Meals on Wheels helps me stay.”
Research Spotlight
Proven Impact of Social Connection Programs
Research backs up what Meals on Wheels providers have known for years: Social connection makes a real difference in seniors’ lives. This report shows how Meals on Wheels providers are creating a greater sense of social connection, with a measurable increase in clients being able to find companionship when they want it and feeling content with their friendships and relationships.
Making the Connection
Meals on Wheels is there when friends and family can’t be. Every senior has unique needs, and local providers offer meaningful ways to ensure they feel supported and connected.
Friendly Calling
A simple phone call can mean the world to a homebound senior. And these calls from Meals on Wheels staff and volunteers aren’t just about saying hello — they also can also serve as a foundation for friendship and a vital wellness check.
Friendly Visiting
For seniors who crave more conversation, some Meals on Wheels providers offer longer visits from volunteers. These visits provide companionship and friendship beyond the greeting at the door with their meal delivery.
Pet Assistance
Not all meaningful connections are human. Pets can bring incredible joy and companionship to seniors. Meals on Wheels helps keep seniors and their furry friends happy and healthy together.
Group Classes and Activities
Seniors can participate in fun and engaging group activities, in person or online, that allow older adults to bond with peers, share their hobbies and learn new skills. The possibilities are endless, but popular options are bingo, exercise, quilting, crafting, book clubs, gardening and the arts.
Opportunities to Volunteer
We all know how good it feels to volunteer, and seniors can also take part in this fulfilling activity. Volunteering offers significant benefits, including improving physical and mental health, providing a sense of purpose and nurturing new and existing relationships.
PET ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
“I Give Thanks for Her Every Day.”
Research shows that seniors with pets are less likely to feel lonely or depressed, and they tend to stay healthier. For many older adults, their pet is their closest companion — and sometimes their only source of comfort.
But caring for a pet isn’t always easy. Many seniors face challenges, and some even make heartbreaking sacrifices —29% of seniors have gone without necessities for themselves to care for their furry friends.
That’s where Meals on Wheels steps in. About 44% of providers offer pet assistance services, helping seniors and their pets stay together. These services include pet food, supplies, access to vet care, grooming and more. And the impact is clear: 97% of clients say that Meals on Wheels makes it possible for them to keep their beloved pet.
The Growing Need: More Seniors Are Waiting for Social Connection
Every year, Meals on Wheels serves over 2 million seniors, but that’s only a fraction of those in need. Despite these efforts and the overwhelming evidence showing the positive impact of social connection programs, local Meals on Wheels providers are struggling to keep up with the growing demand.
In fact, 1 in 3 Meals on Wheels providers now has a waitlist. This means many seniors who need meals and support are forced to wait — sometimes for months — before they can get help. And it’s not just about nutritious food. For many, these programs also provide the connection and care that keep them healthy and independent.
The need is undeniable. A survey found that 97% of Meals on Wheels providers believe there is still unmet demand in their communities.4 Despite their efforts to reach as many seniors in need as possible, too many are going without the nutrition and support they need to age with independence and dignity.
Learn About the Crisis
Help Us End the Wait™
Isolation and loneliness are a growing crisis, and with your help, we can reach more seniors and give them the care, companionship and support they deserve. Your gift will help us end a senior’s wait for moments of connection.
Citations
- 92% of Meals on Wheels providers support clients with social connection opportunities beyond the meal: Cited from Meals on Wheels America 2024 Member Benchmarking Survey, conducted by Meals on Wheels America.
- 78% of home-delivered meal participants say knowing they will receive regular visits helps them feel more secure: Cited from 2023 Administration for Community Living (ACL) National Survey of Older Americans Act (OAA) Participants. Figures are from the responses of a nationally representative sample of clients receiving Home-delivered meals funded through Title III of the OAA. Data obtained through special ACL request.
- 53% of participants reported greater social connection after participating in a Meals on Wheels friendly calling program: Cited from Meals on Wheels America. (2024). Evaluating Social Connection Programs: Friendly Calling and Visiting Quantitative Pilot Study. https://www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/docs/default-source/research/report_friendly-calling-and-visiting-quantitative-pilot-study_11-8-24.pdf
- Meals on Wheels America 2021 Comprehensive Network Survey conducted by Trailblazer Research. Figure includes respondents that said they were serving fewer than “all” seniors in their market who need nutrition services (includes programs that were serving “some,” “many” or “most” seniors). (N=478). Report summary: 2021 Member Perspectives and Practices Survey
