journal articles
MEALS FROM COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND SENIOR CENTERS IN OLDER US ADULTS – AT RISK OF BECOMING A RELIC OF THE PAST?
Maximilian Andreas Storz, Ruopeng An
J Aging Res & Lifestyle 2026;15
BACKGROUND: Community and senior centers are focal points of community-based services. Despite their pivotal role in the aging continuum of care and in light of anticipated budgetary cuts impacting the Older Americans Act, their relevance is suggested to decrease in the US.
METHODS: Using NHANES (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) data from 2009 to 2023, we described national secular trends in the proportion of US adults aged ≥60 years reporting community/senior center meals (CSCMs). Sociodemographic factors associated with CSCMs consumption were identified using multivariable logistic regression.
RESULTS: Data from 514 participants eating CSCMs were analyzed. The proportion of individuals reporting CSCMs ranged from 6.4% (in 2009–2010) to 2.4% (in 2021–2023). Participants reporting CSCMs were predominantly female (64.43%), widowed/divorced (47%), and had an annual income <20,000$ (35.85%). In comparison to males, females who did not complete the 9th grade and female college graduates were less likely to eat CSCMs (Odds Ratios (OR): 0.31 (0.18–0.55) and 0.30 (0.14–0.66), respectively; P = 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: >2% of the older population currently obtains CSCMs. Given their participation-based reimbursement model, community and senior centers offering meals could soon become a relic of the past. Public health strategies may consider the herein presented participation predictors to tailor individualized programs, increasing attendance.
CITATION:
Maximilian Andreas Storz ; Ruopeng An (2026): Meals from community programs and senior centers in older US adults – at risk of becoming a relic of the past?. The Journal of Aging and Lifestyle (JARLife). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jarlif.2026.100078