b'realitysoundbites.Keeping Seniors And Their Pets TogetherTo a Meals on Wheels volunteer, a knock on someones lFinancial reasons were the primary barrier todoor is not only about dropping off a hot meal. Its also getting veterinary care, but transportation was also aabout bringing a break to the daily isolation for the person significant barrier, reported by half of the clients.ontheothersideofthedoor;perhapsitsaquick lNearly 30% said they had forgone personal care insafetycheckaroundthehouse.MealsonWheelshasa order to provide for their pets.check-in via phone calls and friendly visitor programs. It lOne in two clients said that Meals on Wheels wasseemedonlynaturalforthemtocreateaprogramthat the only support they had to help with their pet needs.would help keep pets with a homebound senior.By helping seniors provide food and veterinary care forWe all know the important role our pets play in our their pets, Meals on Wheels has helped nearly 17,000 olderlives, providing social connection and adults keep their pet companions. Further, 81% of the sen-enhancingourphysicaland iorsreceivingpetassistancefromMealsonWheelsmentalhealth,andwell- said it had made it possible for them to continue caring forbeing.Thinkhowimpor- their pet.tant a pet is to a person Enabling vulnerable seniors to care for and keep theirwhoishomebound, loving companions is just one of the many ways Meals onespeciallyiftheyhave Wheels delivers so much more than a meal to combat sociallost a significant other. isolationandloneliness,saidEllieHollander,presidentOne in four sen- and CEO of Meals on Wheels America. Thankfully, theiors lives alone and, for program is expanding. Meals on Wheels is hoping to fill inmany of them, their pet these gaps in care so seniors and their pets can continue tois their closest compan- share their lives together. ionandonlysourceof Oneofthegreatestbenefitsisthatpetshelpusstaycomfort. Many struggle to focused on the present moment, providing a focal point foraccessthefoodorservices our attentionsomething that many people miss followingneeded to maintain their pets retirement, especially if theyre living alone. With programshealthandsometimeswilleven like Meals on Wheels for pets increasing, more older adultssacrifice their own nutrition by sharing will be able to benefit from pet companionship.their delivered meals to ensure their pets are fed. In2021,PetSmartCharitiesgrantedanadditionalIn2019PetSmartCharitiescommitted$3million $654,500 to Meals On Wheels American to help seniorsdollars to Meals on Wheels America to fund a three-year duringCOVID-19.InFebruaryofthisyear,PetSmartnationalpartnershipthatwouldhelpensurethatmore Charitiesgrantedananother$500,000toMealsOnseniors and their pets live healthy, nourished lives together. Wheels to span pet assistance service gaps for seniors inDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, they also conducted a underserved communities.research project to find out more about how they could Wehopethatthisimportantcollaborationcontinueshelp address gaps in pet care.beyond 2022. We remind businesses and organizations to rec-In a survey of seniors with pets, it was revealed: ognize the need in their own communities and either formlNearly 100% of clients receiving home-delivered mealsadditional collaborations, or reach out to support their areawere strongly attached to their pets and reported that Meals On Wheels program. Helping a pet, leaves their ownertheir pet brings them happiness. feeling nourished in more ways than just eating a hot meal.l45% were classified as lonely. We must never underestimate the value of a pets love. Ul64% were at risk for social isolation.lSeven out of 10 of those who were lonely and To learn more about this partnership, how you can help or howat risk for social isolation lived alone. you may obtain assistance for yourself or someone you know,Despite the clear results that pets offer significant visit www.MealsOnWheelsAmerica.org/Pets. You may alsocompanionship for seniors living alone, the study also contact Mark Adler, Meals On Wheels Association of Floridarevealed that many faced challenges in caring for their President at madler@mowsoflo.org or call 954.714.6940.pets. According to the study: To search for a Meals On Wheels service by zip code go tolHalf of pet homes were unable to obtain needed www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/find-mealsveterinary care in the past two years.16THE NEW BARKER www.TheNewBarker.com'