CARE GUIDE: Nutrition Services
Nutrition Services provides healthy meals delivered to the home and lively community dining events. These services include the following:
Congregate Dining
A support service providing a nutritious meal at a central location on pre-arranged days. This service includes social activities as well as transportation to the central location. This service is also known as Diner's Club and Wheels to Meals.
Clients can enjoy a hot meal in the company of friends in the comfort of their neighbourhood. After the meal, a variety of activities are offered such as outings, bingo, educational presentations and more.
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Meals on Wheels®
A support service that delivers nutritious meals to homebound individuals. Volunteers deliver the meals and also provide social contact and early monitoring of potential crisis situations.
Meals on Wheels delivers nutritious meals to a client's door at lunchtime each day, up to seven days a week. Many agencies offer a choice of two convenient options: a ready-to-eat hot meal or a package of frozen meals that can be reheated as needed. Meals are specially created to be well balanced, tasty and nutritious, with a changing menu every day.
Therapeutic meals for special diets are also available, including diabetic, renal, gluten-free and lactose-free meals. Clients who have difficulty chewing or swallowing may request their meals minced or pureed, or they may choose from an assortment of thickened juices. Special ethnic meals are also available, depending on the area.
"Each month, as I travel my route and see both the familiar and new faces of those we serve, I attempt to pause at each door and spend a few moments in conversation. Their faces light up, and as you depart there is a sense of quiet satisfaction in the air. I'm sure you'll agree that it is important to touch our friends and bring not only food but an opportunity for companionship. Ours is a special service – it is personal, and it is vital."
- Mark Roper, Meals on Wheels of Peterborough
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There are a number of care options available
from community agencies. Select one of the following for information
about these options: