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Nutrition

Summary HESSCO Elder Services’ nutrition program operates hot lunch programs serving individuals 60 years and older, and their spouses, who live in the south Norfolk County area.

Meals are served on-site in Canton, Dedham, Foxboro, Medfield, Millis, Norfolk, Norwood, Plainville, Sharon, Walpole, Westwood, and Wrentham. At the Sharon site, ethnic Indian vegetarian and Chinese meals are offered once a month, along with Russian meals during the year. Nutrition counseling is also available.

Cost of service to client There is a suggested confidential $2.50 donation for each meal.

Volunteer opportunities Volunteers are an essential part of the Nutrition Program, and we’re always looking for more! The time commitment is two hours daily, weekly, or monthly-whatever fits your schedule best.

• Meals on Wheels volunteer drivers deliver meals to frail elders living at home.

• Dining room volunteers help package home delivered meals, set up the dining room, and clean up after meals.

About the Nutrition Program The Nutrition Program has three parts: congregate meals served in a dining room, home-delivered meals (Meals on Wheels), and nutrition counseling.

Social meals (also called congregate meals) are hot lunches served in settings such as senior centers, where people gather together. Our meals taste great, have no added salt, are low in fat (under 30% of total calories), and are modified for diabetics.

Each meal meets the federal government’s requirements that we provide 1/3 of the nutrients needed by an older American. The menus are determined monthly by our Nutritionist. An Advisory Council provides us with regular feedback from clients about our menus.

Transportation to and from the meal locations are provided by Councils on Aging.

Home-delivered meals (Meals on Wheels) HESSCO Elder Services provides home-delivered meals to elders who would otherwise have difficulty getting to one of our meal sites. For those who are determined to be eligible, a hot meal can be delivered between the hours of 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Others with additional needs may be able to receive a supper bag, frozen or weekend meals. Lunches are the same hot meals as are available at our sites.

Volunteer drivers bring all of these meals to clients’ homes. This person-to-person contact also serves as a check on the elder’s condition. Please contact us to ask for an assessment if you or someone you know may be in need of home-delivered meals.

Nutrition counseling Individual nutrition counseling is available by calling the nutrition office at HESSCO Elder Services. The main phone number is (781) 784-4944. Nutrition presentations and cooking demonstrations are given at the meal sites.

Frequently asked questions

Q: How much do meals cost?

A: There is no charge for social meals or home-delivered meals, but we request a donation of $2.50 per meal to help defray the cost of the program. Donations are strictly voluntary and confidential. Donation envelopes are available at the sites and from the drivers who deliver meals, or you may mail a check directly to our offices. We accept food stamps as donations. Each meal costs us $6.00 to prepare and serve.

Q: What are the criteria for receiving home-delivered meals?

A: Home delivered hot lunch meals are available 5 days a week to people 60 years of age or older with limited mobility, and their spouses, who are unable to prepare meals for any of the following reasons:

• They lack the physical, emotional, or cognitive ability to attend a meal site or prepare a nutritious meal

• They have no facility to prepare meals

• They have no formal or informal support system to provide a meal.

Cold supper packs are available for people who meet the criteria above; these are delivered with the hot noon meals only, 5 days a week.

Meals are also available on weekends and holidays; and Kosher, pureed and other special meals are available to those who meet certain criteria. For a list of these options and their availability, click here.

Q: How can I sign up for home delivered meals?

A: Call HESSCO Elder Services at (781) 784-4944. A care manager will visit you to determine your eligibility for the meals. This process is free and the care manager will answer all your questions.

Q: How can I sign up for the social meals? A: Anyone 60 years of age and over and their spouses are eligible to attend any of the sites for noontime meals. Reservations are required two days in advance by calling the meal site (see below for the list) or HESSCO Elder Services’ office at (781) 784-7944.

Q: Where are social meals served?

A: Social meals are served in each town in the area served by HESSCO Elder Services. The sites and their phone numbers are listed below:

Canton – Hagen Court Elder Housing 230 Washington Street 781-828-7227

Canton – D. Forbes Will Senior Center 660 Washington Street 781-821-0093

Dedham – St. Paul’s Church 59 Court Street 781-329-5183

Foxborough – The Rodman Room Carl Annon Court 508-698-0754

Medfield – Council on Aging 1 Icehouse Road 508-359-3665×3

Millis – Council on Aging 900 Main Street 508-376-7056

Norfolk – Norfolk Senior Center 28 Medway Branch 508-541-6872

Norwood – Council on Aging 275 Prospect Street 781-762-1201

Plainville – Council on Aging 9 School Street 508-699-0937

Sharon – Stony Brook Housing Hixon Farm Road 781-784-9000

Walpole – Town Hall (Rear) Stone & School Street 508-668-3423

Westwood -Drop-In Center 60 Nahatan Street 781-329-6514

Wrentham – Drop-In Center 400 Taunton Street 508-384-1164

Each meal contains at least 1/3 of the current daily Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of nutrients and considers the special dietary needs of the elderly. The caloric range per meal falls between 700-800 calories. The fat content, based on total calories, does not exceed 30-35%. The sodium content of the meal falls within the range of a No Salt Added diet (3-4 gm/day).