On The Road: Experience With the Meal On Wheels Meal Delivery Program in Central Texas

Abstract

Meals on Wheels Central Texas (MOWCTX) strives to provide a system of support for its senior clients in order to extend their independence and health as they age. Currently, funding for MOWCTX is in jeopardy; for-profit companies seek to acquire federal funds MOWCTX relies on. To preserve their funding, I assisted MOWCTX in gaining an understanding of how their model offers more than nutritional support. Observations of deliveries and 20 semi-structured interviews with current clients were conducted. Research findings suggest that there are additional practical benefits, including the ready-to-eat meals and face-to-face interactions with volunteers, that are unique to MOWCTX.