UnitedHealth : Virginia Commonwealth University School of Nursing Receives Grant from UnitedHealthcare to Improve Access to Healthy Food for Seniors

• Grant supports community-based program that reduces hunger and social isolation among seniors
• Virginia ranks 21st in the nation for senior hunger; in the last 12 months about 14 percent of adults age 60 and older have faced the threat of hunger

A UnitedHealthcare grant to the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Nursing will help reduce hunger and social isolation among seniors by supporting the school's community-based care-coordination initiative, the Richmond Health and Wellness Program.

The $25,000 grant to Virginia Commonwealth University School of Nursing will fund free weekly student-catered meals at three senior apartment communities to help reduce hunger. Funding from this grant will also support educational efforts used to increase the variety and nutritional value of seniors' diets.

The grants are part of UnitedHealthcare's effort to identify and support organizations in Virginia that help seniors, disadvantaged individuals and people with disabilities live healthier lives.

"This grant from UnitedHealthcare will help support our programs and services that provide healthy meals, nutrition education and other resources to improve the lives of seniors," said Pamela Parsons, Ph.D., GNP-BC, program director at VCU's Richmond Health and Wellness Program. "We have seen a tremendous response by the residents in learning more about healthy living and interacting with student volunteers who help serve meals and conduct health screenings."

Along with the weekly meals, the grant will also help VCU students identify seniors who may be eligible to enroll in a Meals on Wheels program or to participate in FeedMore's Commodities Supplemental Food Program. The Richmond Health and Wellness Program will also provide referrals to day programs and other resources from the local Area Agency on Aging.

"The meals program provides a great opportunity for seniors to socialize, meet new friends and learn about the importance of nutrition in their daily lives," said Greg Ford, resident services coordinator for Dominion Place. "With the support from UnitedHealthcare, this program is making a positive impact in the lives of so many seniors in our community."

The $25,000. At the announcement, UnitedHealthcare employees joined community leaders, Virginia Commonwealth University staff, professors and students in prepping and serving one of the weekly catered meals to participating residents.

"UnitedHealthcare is grateful for the opportunity to support VCU and the Richmond Health and Wellness Program that is helping seniors in our community live healthier lives," said Timothy Spilker, regional CEO, UnitedHealthcare Community & State.

According to America's Health Rankings®, Virginia ranks 21st in the nation for senior hunger. In the last 12 months about 14 percent of adults age 60 and older have faced the threat of hunger.

UnitedHealthcare serves nearly 900,000 Virginians enrolled in employer-sponsored, individual, Medicare and Medicaid health plans with a network of 123 hospitals and more than 19,000 physicians and other care providers statewide. *