Meals on Wheels Healthcare and Food for Pets

About the Program

Category: Human Services (Best in Category)

Year: 2022

The Saline County Department of Senior Services supports programs that promote healthy lifestyles among Saline County residents age 50+ and coordinates the delivery of services that help residents live at home despite functional limitations and chronic disabilities. A volunteer expressed their concern to Senior Services that a homebound senior’s pet was eating out of the meal tray delivered the day before. It was concerning that the senior did not have enough to eat if they were sharing their food. The problem for homebound seniors is they have limited resources; they often cannot afford to feed their pet, or they are homebound with no family or friends to shop or help with food and healthcare for their pet companion. Providing a meal and healthcare to their pet companion impacts the lives of seniors by eliminating the barriers they have in providing for their pet companions. Research has shown that pets provide seniors an emotional rescue by reducing isolation, stress, fear, and anxiety. Taking care of their pets gives seniors a sense of purpose, value, and self-esteem. A pet gives unconditional love and support to seniors that may not have family or friends.