10,000 meals in 60 days

LECANTO - According the American Academy of Family Physicians, nearly one in 10 seniors in America suffers from poor nutrition. This can exacerbate problems already common among seniors, including depression, improper healing, and a depressed immune system.

Special to the Chronicle

Emeritus at Barrington Place will mark National Nutrition Month by providing 10,000 meals to area seniors. Call 352-746-2273 to sign up a senior resident.

Emeritus at Barrington Place, part of Emeritus Senior Living, the nation’s largest assisted living and memory care provider, is joining hands with all Emeritus communities across the country to help combat this problem by delivering 10,000 meals to seniors in 60 days and visiting with them to ensure they are able to get the nutrition they need every day.

“Seniors may not get the nutrition they need for a variety of reasons,” said John Stathos, dining services director. “For some, it’s due to a lack of financial resources; for others, a lack of reliable transportation. And in many cases, isolation and depression have caused seniors to lose interest in cooking and eating healthfully.”

Emeritus at Barrington Place provides outreach to seniors who live at home through its Home Visits program, where dedicated senior living professionals visit people in their homes to identify where they could use help and connect them with the services they need.

“We are committed to making sure that every senior in need in this area finds the combination of programs and services that serves them best, even if they do not live with us,” said Jackie Merz, executive director. “The 10,000 Meals initiative also supports our ‘Safely Somewhere’ program, ensuring that no matter where a senior lives, they are safe and living a purposeful life.”

To help meet their goal, Emeritus is asking for the help. If you know of a local senior who could use a nutritious meal, call Emeritus at Barrington Place at 352-746-2273.

“We’ll deliver the meal along with a friendly face and some good conversation,” Merz said.

Emeritus Senior Living, headquartered in Seattle, Wash., is the nation’s largest memory care and assisted living provider, with the ability to serve nearly 50,000 residents. More than 30,000 employees support some 480 communities throughout 45 states coast to coast. Visit www.Emeritus.com.