Meals on Wheels

$2.75 Per Meal
Paid Meals Program

The Caddo Council on Aging, Inc., provides Meals on Wheels to eligible seniors 60+. This program is not funded through Older American Act Federal and State funding. The Council started this program since there was such a long waiting list for the Meals on Wheels program through the Older American Act. Many times a senior needs a meal immediately after getting out of the hospital and cannot afford the waiting time of the other program. The Council makes absolutely no profit on this meal. United Way funding helps with this program.

Why?
Meals on Wheels is a service designed to help seniors maintain their independence as they face financial, physical, or emotional hardships. Hot meals delivered to the door by friendly staff members may be just enough support to enable someone to continue to live a productive life in the community.

What are they like?
Nutritious low fat meals with no added salt are delivered around lunch time. All meals provide 1/3 the daily nutritional requirements as determined by the USDA.

Who is eligible?
Seniors 60 years or older who are homebound, living alone and have physical disabilities that prevent them from preparing an adequate nutritional meal and do not have the support of family and friends on a regular basis.

How much will it Cost?
Seniors 55 years or older who are homebound because of physical, emotional, or financial problems and are unable to prepare a nutritious meal, and do not have anyone able to help them on a regular basis.  The cost is $2.75 per meal 5 days a week. The meals are billed a month prior to delivery. The billing can go to the senior or to family and friends of the senior.

Is there a waiting list for this program?
There is usually no waiting period for this program.

If you are already receiving Meals on Wheels or are thinking about them for yourself or a family member, here are a few guidelines:

Food Handling:
Dinners which are delivered to your home by staff drivers should be eaten as soon as you receive them . Because of our concern for safety, volunteers are asked not to leave a meal when no one is home. Meals cannot be left on the porch.

Emergency Food:
Meals on Wheels is not an emergency service. Sometimes cancellations of delivery are necessary due to bad weather. Please keep extra food in your house in case this happens, especially in the winter months.

Length of time receiving meals:
The Meals on Wheels program depends on you to let us know about changes in your condition that might alter your eligibility for Meals on Wheels. If at any time you do not need Meals on Wheels, please let us know.

Please join us:
The Council on Aging, Inc. sponsors community meals all over Caddo Parish.We hope your health improves to the point that you are able to get out and join us at one of the many congregate meal sites throughout our coverage area. Transportation is often available.

Paperwork:
A final note about forms and information. To continue programs like Meals on Wheels, The Council on Aging, Inc. must comply with state and federal requirements for information. This means a visit from a representative of the Council on Aging will call you or ask to visit you to fill out a registration form. Your help and cooperation will help us to serve you better. Thank you.