November 5, 2017
Guernsey County Senior Citizens Center, Inc. announced that it has been selected to participate in the second phase of a multi-year research program being conducted by Meals on Wheels America, the Gary and Mary West Health Institute and a research group at the Brown University Center for Gerontology and Healthcare Research.
The study – part of Meals on Wheels America’s More Than a Meal body of research – was split into two phases with the aim of improving care coordination across the medical and home communities. In the first phase – completed in 2016 – six local Meals on Wheels programs were assessed to provide insight into the relationships between Meals on Wheels clients and drivers and a better understanding of operational processes within these programs.
Guernsey County Senior Citizens Center’s Meals on Wheels program was one of two only two Meals on Wheels programs selected in the nation to participate in the second phase of the research, which is currently in progress. Researchers are using the program to pilot an enhanced meal-delivery service with Guernsey County seniors that integrates standardized health and safety screenings into daily meal delivery services to help volunteers report any change in condition they observe in senior clients and improve the general health and well-being of homebound seniors.
“Guernsey County Senior Citizens Center’s Meals on Wheels program is honored to be one of only two programs selected nationwide to participate in the More Than a Meal national research project,” said Shon Gress, executive director of Guernsey County Senior Citizens Center, Inc.. “Thanks to West Health Institute, Meals on Wheels America, and Brown University, our home delivered meal drivers have been equipped with hand-held state of the art technology, which will enable them to report changes of condition in real time and relay any immediate needs to emergency personnel as well as to our Care Navigator, who in turn will follow-up with each client when referred.