Social Service Providers' Perceptions of Older Adults' Food Access During COVID-19.
J Aging Soc Policy
; : 1-18, 2023 May 01.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2317477
ABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated risk factors for food insecurity among older adults, while also altering how government agencies and social service organizations could serve this population given their disproportionate vulnerability to the virus. The current study sought to understand social service providers' perspectives about how low-income community-dwelling older adults' access to food and related resources changed during the COVID pandemic. Data were collected via in-depth interviews with 22 social service providers from Oregon-based public and private social service agencies. Responses indicated that changes to older adults' food access during the pandemic stemmed from increases in public benefit amounts and social distancing guidelines. Participants indicated that temporary increases in SNAP allotments supported older adults' food security. Additionally, social distancing guidelines disrupted usual ways of procuring food, such as going to grocery stores, obtaining food with the assistance of family or neighbors, receiving deliveries from social programs, and visiting congregate meal sites. Food assistance programs changed their operations to reduce in-person interaction and increase the use of technology. When investigating older adults' food access, future research should consider adults' experiences of and barriers to SNAP receipt, social support from social networks and safety net programs, and technology access and knowledge.
Social service providers offer a unique perspective on older adults' food access.Interviews with providers documented older adult food access during COVID.Expanded federal assistance and social distancing shaped seniors' food access.Food access may vary by program eligibility, social support, and technology access.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Type of study:
Prognostic study
/
Qualitative research
Language:
English
Journal:
J Aging Soc Policy
Journal subject:
Geriatrics
/
Public Health
Year:
2023
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
08959420.2023.2205770
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