SAN JOSE, Calif. (CitizenWire) — A startling number of U.S. seniors risk going hungry due to the inability to obtain sufficient food for their household or having to choose between food and medical care(1). During September Hunger Action Month, and through Thanksgiving, Silicon Valley and Peninsula Comfort Keepers(R) is asking the community to make food donations to the STOP Senior Hunger food drive to help local seniors and raise awareness for this growing epidemic that impacts millions of older Americans trying to remain healthy and independent.
“Hunger Action Month is in September, but seniors go hungry all year,” said Alina Baktashian, Client Services Director of the Silicon Valley and Peninsula Offices. “We can’t fight every factor affecting hunger, but we can start here in our community by creating awareness about the issue and helping family members become more aware of the signs of hunger and malnutrition.”
Hunger can lead to malnutrition and other serious health problems in seniors. In fact, one in three seniors in the care of others is at risk for malnutrition or under-nutrition. Malnutrition is the result of the body not absorbing enough nutrients due to inaccessibility. Signs of malnutrition may include sudden weight gain or loss, bruising, or dental difficulties, sudden changes in taste, or a general disinterest in eating. For seniors, malnutrition means the potential for increased hospital stays, increased health complications, early entry into assisted living facilities and premature death.
In response to a growing need for awareness about senior hunger, the Comfort Keepers system has launched a nationwide campaign called STOP Senior Hunger to create awareness for the importance of a healthy diet for those 65 and over. This senior nutrition campaign aims to help seniors preserve their independence by providing diet and nutrition information, encouragement and necessities.
Comfort Keepers has placed food collection bins at the following nine locations around Silicon Valley:
Comfort Keepers, Silicon Valley Office
10061 Pasadena Ave. Suite B, Cupertino, CA 95014.
Almaden Community Center
6445 Camden Avenue, San Jose, CA 95120.
Andronico’s Market
690 Los Altos Rancho Center, Los Altos, CA 94024.
Lucky Supermarket
715 E El Camino Real, Mountain View, CA 94040.
Lucky Supermarket
6109 Meridian Ave., San Jose,CA 95120.
Safeway
3071 Steven Creek Blvd., Santa Clara, CA 95050.
Zanotto’s Family Market
1988 Naglee Ave, San Jose, CA 95126.
Zanotto’s Family Market
38 S 2nd St, San Jose, CA 95113.
Zanotto’s Family Market
1421 Foxworthy Ave, San Jose, CA 95112.
This effort Started September 15th 2010 and will continue until Thanksgiving.
For more information on the local STOP Senior Hunger campaign, please contact your local Comfort Keepers office at (408) 446-1199.
About Comfort Keepers:
Comfort Keepers(R) is a leading franchise network in the in-home care market for senior and other adults needing care. Since its founding in 1998, the company has grown to more than 600 franchised locations around the world by staying true to the founders’ goal of providing in-home care services that allow clients the opportunity to age in place. In August of 2009, the brand was strengthened even further by the purchase of the franchisor, CK Franchising, Inc., by Sodexo, one of the world’s leading food and facilities management services companies and the global leader in the health care and seniors markets.
For more information, visit www.comfortkeepers.com or contact Alireza Baktashian at 408-446-1199.
(*)Sources: 1 Feeding America, Hunger in America 2010.
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