Adams County Senior Meal Programs Highlighted During National Nutrition Month

Thirteen million seniors across the United States lacked reliable access to nutritious meals in 2025, according to USAging, and the problem lands close to home in rural southern Ohio. The Area Agency on Aging District 7 used National Senior Nutrition Month in March to highlight the importance of good nutrition for healthy aging across its ten-county region, which includes Adams County.

"Healthy food and good nutrition are essential for older adults to maintain health, independence and quality of life as they age," the agency stated. "What we eat supports physical strength and brain health. Proper nutrition helps reduce the risk of chronic disease, supports immune function, and maintains cognitive health."

Getting to that nutrition, however, is not easy. The agency acknowledged it can be challenging for many older adults to obtain the healthy and nutritious foods needed to maintain physical and cognitive health, and that falling short can lead to poor health outcomes. Officials with the Area Agency on Aging 3, a separate agency serving a different part of Ohio, underscored the same systemic pressures in WLIO coverage, with vice president of Community Living Services Dre White noting that "rising food costs, transportation issues and overall well-being can make it harder for seniors to maintain healthy diets."

The stakes extend beyond physical health. "Food nourishes more than the body — it also supports connection. Shared meals and nutrition programs bring people together, boosting mood and reducing isolation and loneliness," AAA7 said in its release.

AAA7 provides services on a non-discriminatory basis across ten counties in southern Ohio, including Adams, Brown, Gallia, Highland, Jackson, Lawrence, Pike, Ross, Scioto and Vinton. Those services are designed to help older adults and people with disabilities live safely and independently in their residence of choice, funded through Medicare, Medicaid, other federal and state resources and private pay.

For Adams County residents who need help, AAA7 can arrange home-delivered meals for an older adult or help locate a congregate meal site in the community. The agency's Resource Center is available to anyone looking for information or assistance with long-term care options, staffed Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Callers are connected directly with a specially trained staff member who can help identify programs and services that best fit their needs. The agency also offers an assessment at no cost for those interested in learning more.

Ohio is among the states with the highest rates of senior food insecurity, with 7.4% of older Ohioans reporting they struggled to access sufficient food in a recent Retirement Living analysis, roughly two percentage points above the national average. Rates of food insecurity in rural Southeast Ohio run higher than the state as a whole, making the AAA7 services especially critical in counties like Adams.

Reach AAA7 by calling 1-800-582-7277, emailing info@aaa7.org, or visiting aaa7.org. The agency also maintains a Facebook page at facebook.com/AreaAgencyOnAgingDistrict7.