March is National Senior Nutrition Program Month, and San Bernardino County's Department of Aging and Adult Services-Public Guardian (DAAS-PG) is on a mission to spread the word about its Older Adult Nutrition Program, a lifeline for residents aged 60 and over. According to the department's recent announcement, the aim is to shine a spotlight on the necessity and benefits of proper nutrition for older adults.

The senior population in San Bernardino County stands at over 417,600, a substantial slice of the county's overall census. Eating right is crucial for this age group, and DAAS-PG's programs are responding to this need by providing balanced meals – with 7,520 individuals served at congregate meal sites and 5,605 individuals receiving home-delivered meals in the fiscal year 2022-23, as reported in their statement.

The programs covered under DAAS-PG's nutrition services include the Congregate Nutrition Program, which allows seniors to enjoy meals in a social setting, and the Home-Delivered Nutrition Program, which caters to those who are homebound due to illness, disability, or isolation. These initiatives not only offer nutritious meals but also a chance to reduce isolation, as detailed in the county's Older Adult Nutrition Program announcement.

The eligibility criteria for these services are wide-ranging, ensuring that no older adult is left behind. Not only can any adult over 60 apply, but so can their spouses, disabled individuals under 60 in certain housing, and those with disabilities who live at home with an older adult participant, the department's statement specified.

For more information on aiding older adults in maintaining their independence through nutrition, interested locals should call the toll-free California Aging & Adult Information line at 1 (800) 510-2020. Additionally, useful links to find local meal sites and home-delivery providers are available, further emphasizing San Bernardino County's commitment to keeping their senior community healthy and connected.