Evaluation of the Effect of the Older Americans Act Title III-C Nutrition Services Program on Participants’ Health Care Utilization

• Published in: Mathematica Policy Research Published Reports
• Main Authors: Mabli, James, Ghosh, Arkadipta, Schmitz, Bob, Shenk, Marisa, Panzarella, Erin, Carlson, Barbara, Flick, Mark
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: Princeton Mathematica Policy Research 14.09.2018
• Subjects: Health services utilization; Nutrition

Key Findings: * Congregate meal participants were more likely to remain living in their home, when compared to nonparticipants. * Congregate meal participants who lived alone were less likely than nonparticipants to have a hospital admission or have an emergency department visit that led to a hospital admission. * Further research is needed to better identify new, individually-tailored approaches that would improve outcomes for home-delivered meal participants. The Administration on Aging (AoA) within ACL at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services administers the Older Americans Act Title III-C Nutrition Services Program (NSP). The NSP promotes access to nutritious meals, nutrition education, and nutrition counseling; facilitates social contact; and conducts health promotion activities all which help older adults maintain their independence in their homes and communities. This is the second of two reports detailing the NSP outcomes evaluation. This report evaluates the effect of the NSP on participants’ health care utilization, and healthcare costs by comparing participants to similar nonparticipants. Health care utilization and costs outcomes were determined through examining Medicare administrative records.