Faculty Publications

Encore Café: An Innovative And Effective Congregate Nutrition Program

Document Type

Article

Keywords

Congregate nutrition program, impact, loneliness, nutritional risk, older adults, satisfaction

Journal/Book/Conference Title

Journal of Nutrition in Gerontology and Geriatrics

Abstract

Effective community food and nutrition programs are imperative for supporting older adults health and well-being. This three-part study examined to what extent the innovative congregate nutrition program (CNP), Encore Café, and targeted marketing campaign influenced CNP utilization, CNP program satisfaction, and overall CNP impact (e.g., nutritional risk, dietary practices, and loneliness). The Encore Café resulted in increases of 386% in meal distribution and 3,164% in CNP participants during a two-year period compared to a 20.8% reduction at traditional meal sites across the state. Total CNP satisfaction (food and dining) was high for both the Encore Café and Traditional CNP. Encore Café participants maintained their nutritional status and experienced significant reductions in emotional loneliness (p = 0.017) and dietary intake frequencies of processed meat (p = 0.027) compared to non-CNP participants. Utilizing a client-centered approach in marketing and programming for the Encore Café shows promising results for improving the utilization and effectiveness of the CNP.

Original Publication Date

1-1-2021

DOI of published version

10.1080/21551197.2021.1986455

Repository

UNI ScholarWorks, Rod Library, University of Northern Iowa

Language

en

Link to Full Text

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