by Zhanglin Kong
An Aging Population
Average life expectancy of the U.S. population is getting longer, and the elderly population maintained a trend of rapid growth during the last century. Today, there are 37 million people are older than 65, accounting for 13% of the total population of the United States. Of the 37 million older Americans, 10% of them are low-income. It is estimated that by 2030, over 20% of the U.S. population will be older than 65. With the arrival of new immigrants, the number of Asian elders in the Boston area is also increasing rapidly. Greater Boston Chinese Golden Age Center (GBCGAC) provides a broad range of services designed to help Asian elders enjoy their golden years at home and in the community.
General Introduction of GBCGAC
GBCGAC is a not-for-profit organization which was established in 1972. Its mission is to promote the general welfare of Asian elders. A comprehensive network of culturally sensitive and linguistically appropriate programs and services assists elders with access to mainstream elder services and supports independent living. Services and programs provided by GBCGAC include Social Services, Nutrition, Adult/Social Day Care, Education and Recreation, Senior Community Service Employment, Serving Health Information Needs of Elders and more.
GBCGAC Nutrition Program
GBCGAC nutrition program provides a nutritious lunch to elders over 60 in the Boston area.
If you live in Boston and are over 60, you are eligible for a free lunch at any of the GBCGAC congregate meal dining room sites. A $2 donation is requested to help defray the cost of the meal. If you are home-bound and have difficulties reaching the congregate meal site, you may be eligible for GBCGAC’s home delivered meal service, which will deliver a hot meal to your home daily. You may contact us to determine your eligibility for home delivered meal service and for meal site dining room and hours and activity schedule at the following locations:
(1) Quincy Tower, 5 Oak Street West, Boston, MA 02116. Tel: 617-423-7560
(2) Hong Lok House, 25-31 Essex Street, Boston, MA 02111. Tel: 617-542-7458
(3) Brighton House, 677 Cambridge Street, Brighton, MA 02135. Tel: 617-789-4289
Thanks to the City of Boston’s Commission on Affairs of the Elderly funding, GBCGAC is able to provide Nutrition assessment and counseling, which have become an important part of our nutrition program. Nutrition assessors visit clients’ at home to collect health and nutrition information every 6 months, then a Registered Dietitian evaluates all client assessments to determine the need and priority for receiving nutrition education and counseling. Nutrition assessment and counseling service is aimed at promoting clients’ health and ensuring a good quality of life.
More about GBCGAC’s Service
GBCGAC’s meals meet or exceed USDA Senior Nutrition Guidelines. They are nutritionally balanced meals with appropriate portions of rice, vegetables, meat, milk and fruit. They are prepared with fresh ingredients including 3 or 4 kinds of vegetables and one or two kinds of meat. Also they are low in fat, salt, sugar and cholesterol so that you can taste the fresh flavor of all ingredients.
GBCGAC’s kitchen maintains high standards of safety and sanitation during cooking and also in the delivery process, so that every weekday our clients receive a hot and freshly cooked lunch.
All the services GBCGAC provides enhance the Asian elders’ health and quality of life, enabling elders to remain at home and in their community to enjoy their golden years. If you need our services or more information, please visit our website at www.gbcgac.org or call us at 617-423-7560.
Nutrition Advice for Elders
As a full time Registered Dietitian at GBCGAC, I would like to share some nutrition advice that I give to my elder clients.
First of all, if you have any chronic diseases and conditions, you should follow the diet restrictions prescribed for your condition. A Registered Dietitian or a Doctor should be consulted regarding diet restriction for Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, Heart Diseases and many other chronic conditions.
Secondly, although 3 to 4 cups of milk or an equivalent amount of dairy product is recommended daily, consumption in the Asian diet is lower than that criteria in general. In the case of lactose intolerance, yogurt and lactose free milk are recommended. Also, increasing the amount of fiber in your diet is important. More brown rice, whole grains, vegetables and fruit should be consumed for the benefit of your heart, blood vessels and intestines. After all, the fundamental goal here is to maintain a balanced diet which includes fresh ingredients.
Nutritional supplements are good, but should never replace food if you have functional eating capability and normal digestion.
This post is also available in: Chinese