CPSTF Recommends Home-delivered and Congregate Meal Services for Older Adults

The Community Preventive Services Task Force (CPSTF) recommends home-delivered and congregate meal services to reduce malnutrition among older adults living independently.

The recommendation is based on a systematic review of 20 studies identified from a published systematic review and an updated search for evidence. Results showed home-delivered meal services increased the percent of older adults who met their Recommended Daily Allowances for energy and protein and decreased malnutrition by 15.5 percentage points. Congregate meal services decreased malnutrition by 9 percentage points.

UVMMC Dementia Family Caregiver Center

Family caregivers provide extraordinary, uncompensated, long-term care for family members, often without skills training. Unlike many other states, Vermont does not have a dedicated Dementia Family Caregiver Center to support families who provide care for those diagnosed with ADRD in their own homes. The dedicated team at UVMMC Elder Care Services is taking the lead on the development of a new Dementia Family Caregiver Center.

The Center will serve as a gateway for family caregivers to access counseling, mentoring, education and support. We also recognize the need for more dementia capable practitioners and are committed to advancing geriatric social work in Vermont. The Center hopes to partner with the University of Vermont Department Of Social Work to develop an educational track for Masters Level Geriatric Social Work.

As we continue the process of funding and establishing the Center, your input is vital. Please contact Lori McKenna or Jeanne Hutchins to share your ideas and perspectives.