Providing adequate nutrition and social contacts are critical components to the health of elderly citizens, and are vital to helping them remain active and independent.  In Idaho, and nationwide, most senior nutrition services are provided by licensed senior citizen centers and home-delivered meal contractors.  The services are targeted toward older people with the greatest economic or greatest social need.

Click here to locate a Senior Center or Meal Site listed by County.

Home-Delivered Meals

Home-bound seniors are able to remain in their homes in part because of the delivery of hot, cold or frozen meals, often by a volunteer.  Volunteers delivering meals decrease social isolation for these vulnerable seniors.  Area Agency on Aging Case Managers develop individualized plans for this and other In-Home services and assistance for participants.

Congregate Meals

Meals served in congregate, or group, settings provide vital social contacts for senior citizens as well as access to information on programs and services that benefit the elderly.

Nationwide, senior nutrition programs provide 40 to 50 percent of participants' daily nutritional intake, and these meals are more nutrient-dense than those of non-participants. Health and nutrition counseling and education services help seniors make wiser, healthier, choices.

Nutrition Education and Counseling

This program provides individual counseling and group presentations about aging-related diet and health issues.

For more information on these nutritional programs, call the Area Agency on Aging in your region, or click on  www.aoa.gov/AoARoot/AoA_Programs/HCLTC/Nutrition_Services/index.aspx, or contact ICOA at (208) 334-3833.

Click here for information on the nutrition pyramid, or here for nutrition education.