Take out congregate meals discontinued locally and statewide

A service enjoyed for many years by county senior citizens was discontinued over the weekend, as take-out meals are no longer available at the local senior centers in Posen and Onaway, but facilities across the state as well. As of Sunday, all congregate meals must be served in a congregate setting, according to a memorandum received from the Office of Services to the Aging (OSA) in Lansing. Home delivered meals, or ?Meals on Wheels,? are available to qualified residents, and they still can sit down and enjoy the meals offered by the Presque Isle County Council on Aging, but meals to go are no longer being offered.

THE LETTER FROM the OSA, which was posted at each center, was dated September 12, but received only a few weeks before the service had to be discontinued. The federal and state mandate came as a surprise to PICCA director Barb Nagi. ?The only thing we can do is follow through,? said Nagi. There were 20 to 30 carry out meals being served in Onaway and 10 in Posen. Nagi said many of her customers had different circumstances as to why they would use the carry-out service; unfortunately, they will not be able to utilize the service anymore.

?All existing situations, including residents of senior housing facilities where a meal site is located, must cease the practice of take-out congregate meals by no later than September 30,? the state memo stated. To qualify for the home-delivered meal, residents have to be 60 years or older, or have a physical or mental handicap, said Nagi. In a brief conversation on the matter at last Friday?s Presque Isle County Board of Commissioners meeting, some board members said it was being done to promote more socialization at senior centers.

EARLIER THIS year, the Michigan Office of Services t

o the Aging (OSA) developed a proposal for off-site congregate meals in conjunction with an ad hoc workshop of nutrition service providers and regional dietitians. This proposal was shared informally with staff of the Federal Administration on Aging (AOA). In response to the informal contact, OSA received unequivocal direction that all congregate meals provided with funding under the Older Americans Act must be served in a congregate setting. ?We had hoped to be allowed discretion to permit limited opportunities for congregate take-out meals,? the transmittal letter continued. ?It is now clear this will not occur.?

OSA did receive positive input from AOA on proposed guidelines for voucher meals. OSA intended to continue development of proposed operating standards for voucher meals. It is also apparent that AOA is seeking improved nutrition education efforts from senior nutrition programs. OSA anticipates another work group will be convened early this fall to address these issues.