Warm your tummy and boost your nutrition – with CHATS Meals on Wheels
By Sheri Fiegehen, Marketing & Communications Coordinator, CHATS – Community Home Assistance to Seniors.
While the snow and wind swirl outside, Harold, 79, of Stouffville, enjoys cozying up with some tummy-warming, home-style comfort food. But considering he lives alone and really isn’t that much of a cook, he knows CHATS (Community Home Assistance to Seniors) Meals on Wheels is the perfect answer. Harold can get all his favourites, such as beef stew, turkey with stuffing, apple braised pork, cauliflower-cheddar soup – to name just a few.
Harold’s meals arrive frozen, once a week, brought right to his front door by a friendly CHATS volunteer. He puts them in his freezer and heats them up when he feels like it. For Harold, it’s an easy and delicious solution to meal time. The dishes are made in a traditional home-cooked style, and Harold enjoys the variety of menu options he can choose from: 52 entrees plus vegetable side-dishes, 20 soups and 22 desserts.
Delicious… and nutritious.
Simply put, CHATS Meals on Wheels are nutritious, says Bette Neale, CHATS Director of Client Services. “In fact, one typical meal provides 65 per cent of the daily protein requirement for seniors, as recommended by the World Health Organization, and more than 40 per cent of the daily calorie requirement for seniors,” she explains.
Nutrition experts say that calorie and protein requirements are the most important requirements for a senior – and CHATS Meals on Wheels is ahead of the pack in meeting these needs, adds Bette. They are specifically designed by dietitians, following the Canada Food Guidelines to meet the dietary needs of seniors. In particular, research studies show that proper nutrition – specifically protein – plays a key role in maintaining muscle strength in frail seniors. This is exceedingly important, as falls are a major health risk for seniors.
“So, even just one CHATS Meals on Wheels entrée a day can have a significant positive impact on healthy aging,” says Bette. Proper nutrition, especially for seniors, is crucial to living longer and maintaining health.
Because many seniors like Harold live alone, don’t cook, and are getting older, they don’t always eat as well – or as much – as they used to. “At least they know that with Meals on Wheels, they’re getting some good square meals every week,” says Bette.
How it works.
People simply call CHATS for details about all the menu choices, and at their convenience, they can place their orders with CHATS via phone, voice mail or fax. The meals, which are prepared by a professional, high-quality food service company, are then shipped to CHATS and delivered once a week to clients by about 40 CHATS volunteer drivers. CHATS relies on a dedicated and logal group of very special volunteers. More than 1,000 CHATS Meals on Wheels meals are delivered every week throughout York Region.
Meals on Wheels is one of more than a dozen services and programs provided by CHATS throughout York Region. CHATS is a charitable, not-for-profit organization serving the needs of more than 4,000 York Region seniors and their caregivers each year.
To find out more, please call 905.713.6596 or toll-free 1.877.452.4287, or visit the website at www.chats.on.ca
2600 John Street, Unit 207, Markham, ON L3R 3W3 T: 905.475.5222 F: 905.475.6369
