Announcing Changes to our Meals On Wheels Endless Mountains Delivery Schedule

Historically, Meals on Wheels has offered hot meal deliveries 5 days a week to eligible consumers in Sullivan and Susquehanna Counties. Beginning in July, the Area Agency on Aging for the counties of Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna, and Tioga (B/S/S/T AAA) will be working with its Active Living Center staff and volunteer meal drivers to transition to a delivery schedule of 3 days per week, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.  Meal recipients will continue to receive the same number of meals and supplementary nutrition benefits they have always enjoyed through the program; the only change will be in the number of delivery days.  A hot meal will continue to be delivered on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. A prepared, easily heated frozen meal will be offered in substitution for Tuesday and Thursday hot meals, with the meals being delivered along with the hot meal deliveries on Mondays and Wednesdays respectively.

B/S/S/T AAA recognizes that our meal recipients benefit not only from the supplementary nutrition offered by Meals on Wheels, but also from the socialization offered by a daily visit. Especially due to the rural nature of our service area, local aging adults are at an increased risk of social isolation. Rising to meet the nutritional needs of seniors is important to B/S/S/T AAA, but no less important than providing for their social needs. In this endeavor, B/S/S/T AAA is working diligently to ensure a seamless continuation of services, strengthen established volunteer programs, and promote awareness about little-known and underutilized service offerings.  

Each recipient of Meals on Wheels Endless Mountains is supported by an assigned Care Manager, who assesses the person for unmet needs, pinpoints beneficial programs, and assists with enrollments and coordination of care services. During this transition, assigned Care Managers will be working closely with consumers to provide education about the new schedule, as well as working with our dedicated volunteer meal drivers to determine if changes are needed on existing meal routes. As a reminder of the change, and to check in on any issues or concerns, telephone calls will be made to recipients on Tuesdays and Thursdays after implementation. For those individuals identified with concerns of social isolation, referrals can be made through the agency’s volunteer program for a Telephone Reassurance caller or a Friendly Visitor.  Individuals identified to be at risk of falls or other safety concerns, may also be considered for a Personal Emergency Response System (PERS).

B/S/S/T Area Agency on Aging, Inc. sincerely appreciates the understanding and patience of our community as we strive to better serve older adults across Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna, and Tioga Counties. For more information or to express concerns please call 1-800-982-4346.