TEXAS HUNGER AND ISOLATION STATISTICS
If you, a family member, friend, or neighbor is isolated and in need of nutritious, a friendly visit, and a safety check, please complete our online referral form available here. You can download a PDF of these statistics here.
TEXAS'S SENIOR POPULATION STRUGGLES WITH HUNGER AND ISOLATION
| Senior population* | 5,123,709 (18%) | Rank: 49th in U.S. |
| Seniors threatened by hunger (marginally food insecure) | 1,019,618 (20%) | Rank: 12th in U.S. |
| Seniors at risk of hunger (food insecure) | 548,237 (11%) | Rank: 6th in U.S. |
| Seniors facing hunger (very low food secure) | 189,577 (4%) | Rank: 13th in U.S. |
| State ranking for risk of social isolation** | 19th in U.S. |
FACTORS CREATE DISPARITIES AND MAKE SENIORS VULNERABLE
| Black or African American | 10% | Hispanic or Latino | 24% | Native American/Alaskan or Hawaiian/Pacific Islander | less than 1% |
| Seniors self-reporting “fair to poor” health | 30% | Seniors with a disability | 31% | ||
| Seniors living alone | 21% | Seniors living below the poverty line | 11% | ||
| Seniors who lack income to pay for basic living needs | Singles: 50% | Couples: 24% |
POOR NUTRITION/LIMITED AFFECTS PEOPLE, HEALTHCARE, AND ECONOMY
| Seniors experiencing falls with injury | 13% | Preventable hospitalizations*** | 47 per 1,000 |
| Hospital readmissions within 30 days*** | 16% | Total Medicare spending (in billions) | $41.82 |
OLDER AMERICANS ACT (OAA) NUTRITION PROGRAMS IN TEXAS ARE DELIVERING
| Title III-C Nutrition Program | TitleVI Grants for Native Americans | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seniors Served | Meals Served | Seniors Served | Meals Served | |
| Congregate meals | 62,002 | 4,122,732 | 167 | 15,540 |
| Home-delivered meals | 62,143 | 11,818,518 | 48 | 14,715 |
| Total | 124,145 | 15,941,250 | 215 | 30,255 |
PROFILE OF SENIORS RECEIVING OAA TITLE III SERVICES ****
| Live alone | 44% | Live below the poverty line | 44% | |
| Live in a rural area | 34% | Women | 63% | |
| Black or African American | 18% | Hispanic or Latino32% | Native American or Hawaiian/ Pacific Islander | less than 1% |
PROGRAM FUNDING VARIES BASED ON COMMUNITY NEEDS AND RESOURCES OF THE COMMUNITY- MADE UP OF FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL AND PRIVATE DOLLARS
| Congregate Meals | Home-delivered meals | Total | |
| OAA III Expenditures | $17,073,984 | $16,429,924 | $33,503,908 (41%) |
| Total Expenditures | $28,110,121 | $53,841,730 | $81,951,851 |
FULLY INVESTING IN MEALS ON WHEELS ENSURES VULNERABLE TX SENIORS CAN REMAIN HEALTHIER AT HOME, AVOIDING COSTLY HEALTHCARE FACILITIES
| Cost of 1 home-delivered / congregate meal***** | Cost of 1 day in a hospital | Cost of 1 day in a nursing home |
| $9.84 / $8.85 | $2,604 | $160 |