Evaluating an Enhanced Home-delivered Meal Program on Older Adults' Health and Well-being

The purpose of the research study is to understand the effectiveness of an enhanced Home-Delivered Meals Program (HDMP) on the health-quality of life for older adults. Specifically, the investigators will study the effectiveness of an enhanced HDMP service delivery approach that includes community health worker interactions and supplemental healthy grocery bags to address diet quality, food and nutrition security, loneliness, and health-related quality of life, compared to HDMP only. The research will take place among individuals receiving meals from Meals on Wheels Rhode Island (MOWRI). This is a pragmatic randomized controlled trial with the following objectives: 1) to develop a protocol for CHW engagement (assessment, intervention, and follow-up) with participants; 2) to implement the enhanced home delivered meals (HDM) intervention to MOWRI clients at the highest nutritional risk; 3) to evaluate the impact of the enhanced program on diet quality, food and nutrition security, loneliness, and HRQOL in a randomized study; 4) to evaluate program sustainability measures and implement process improvements to increase sustainability; 5) to disseminate program resources that will allow the program to replicate to other HDM programs; and 6) to share evaluation results with key community, policy, and academic partners. Up to 1640 participants who are individuals receiving meals from Meals on Wheels Rhode Island (MOWRI) and are at a high nutritional risk. The outcome measures are diet quality (primary outcome), food security, nutrition security, subjective isolation / loneliness, health-related quality of life (HRQOL).

Inclusion criteria

• Adults who are eligible for Title III - funded Meals on Wheels assistance
• Can read and speak Spanish or English
• Are nutritionally at risk as determined by the Nutrition Risk Assessment
• Reside in the state of Rhode Island

Exclusion criteria

• Cognitive or physical limitations that prevent an individual from giving consent, as assessed by normal interactions by intake staff or study team
• Cognitive or physical limitations that prevent an individual from participating in intervention or evaluation activities, as assessed by normal interactions intake staff or study team