05/25/06

Rep. Souder Joins With American Dietetic Association in Recognizing Need to Assess Impact of Nutrition Services for Older Adults

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 25, 2006

Media contact:  Jennifer Starkey, Tom Ryan
800/877-1600, ext. 4802, 4894
e-mail: media@eatright.org
 
CHICAGO – Rep. Mark Souder (R.-Ind.) was instrumental in obtaining a House committee’s approval of legislation, supported by the American Dietetic Association, to require the first independent evaluation of government programs designed to help older Americans eat well and improve their quality of life.

“By authorizing a National Academy of Sciences study, we will be able to determine whether these programs are reaping a return on our investment by helping seniors live healthier lives, and thus resulting in a long-term reduction in health-care costs,” Souder said.

“ADA is grateful to Rep. Souder for his understanding of the issues concerning nutrition for the elderly, and we look forward to working with him toward passage of the Senior Independence Act by full House,” said registered dietitian Ruth Frechman, spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association.

Without opposition on May 17, the House of Representatives’ Committee on Education & the Workforce approved the Senior Independence Act, which would reauthorize and strengthen services offered under the Older Americans Act, the primary federal law governing many social services provided to older Americans. Souder’s amendment would require NAS’s Institute of Medicine to evaluate the impact of nutrition services provided under the Older Americans Act. The bill, which now moves to the full House, enjoys significant bipartisan support.

“Good nutrition is essential to health, independence and quality of life of older adults,” Frechman said. “Many health problems in older adults are related to nutrition. Providing nutrition assistance can lesson people’s risk of chronic disease, slow the progression of other diseases and reduce symptoms of other health problems.

“People over the age of 65 represent 12.5 percent of the population in America. As this group ages, they will require more attention. Registered dietitians are qualified to help meet the nutritional needs of this group and provide them with better quality of life,” Frechman said.

“I recently met in my district with members of the American Dietetic Association, and they shared with me the important impact good nutrition has on the health of American seniors,” Souder said. “Not only do the meals provided under the Older Americans Act help ensure seniors are well-fed, but they also ensure seniors are eating foods that will help them combat various diseases such as diabetes, kidney disease and osteoporosis.”

The Older Americans Act was first enacted in 1965 to govern a variety of social services for aging Americans.

With approximately 65,000 members, the American Dietetic Association is the nation’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. ADA serves the public by promoting optimal nutrition, health and well-being. To locate a registered dietitian in your area, visit ADA at www.eatright.org.

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