Submitted by Leslie Cimei on

The impact that working within your community has on food insecurity in older adults is astounding. If health care professionals find it hard to screen for FI - whether it be due to lack of time during an appointment or the patient's desire to remain 'unseen' by being untruthful on intake forms or something else entirely - participating in food banks or through community organizations might be another way to target this population.

How will discussing food insecurity in older adults with members of the health care team change the way you practice?  

Comments

Virginia Hultin replied on

Since food insecurity in this population has been such a long, ongoing issue, how has the pandemic affected it? It's my understanding that food insecurity for most populations has actually gotten worse but I'm interested in how the current climate may be affecting this population and if there's been any shifts in federal or local support available?

Virginia Hultin replied on

Ann Lokuta replied on

The previous comment around FI and the pandemic is such an important factor to consider. It's also my understanding that FI across the board has increased, due to numerous pandemic-related challenges people and families have endured over the past couple of years. It seems like FI is becoming more top of mind for healthcare providers and in our healthcare systems, because of this situation. I've heard of more systems/clinics using the two question Hunger Vital Signs screener to identify FI and provide patients information or resources to help them increase food security. The two questions mainly touch on having sufficient funds to purchase enough food and I'm wondering if this would sometimes miss identifying FI in older adults? Maybe they have sufficient funds for purchasing food, but perhaps aren't able to get to the grocery store, aren't familiar with options for getting groceries delivered, don't have support systems to help with these tasks, etc. As healthcare providers, we'll have to keep all of these factors top of mind when screening for FI in our patients. This article is such a valuable and well-rounded resource for that!

Ann Lokuta replied on