Fort Bend Senior Citizens Meals On Wheels & Much Much More Inc

FBS IS COMMITTED TO HELPING SENIORS REMAIN INDEPENDENT THROUGH SERVICES AND RESOURCES.

SEE SCHEDULE OHOME DELIVERED MEALS PROGRAM - FORT BEND AND WALLER COUNTY: FORT BEND SENIORS' (FBS) GOAL IS TO PROMOTE BETTER HEALTH FOR ELIGIBLE HOMEBOUND OLDER PERSONS BY PROVIDING NUTRITIOUS HOME-DELIVERED MEALS.CLIENTS MUST BE 60 YEARS OR OLDER AND SCORE A MINIMUM OF 20 ON THE DEPARTMENT OF AGING AND DISABILITIES ASSESSMENT. ELIGIBILITY IS BASED ON AN ASSESSMENT OF: IMPAIRMENT IN THE ABILITY TO PERFORM ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING OR INSTRUMENTAL ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING; FREQUENCY OF A PERSON LEAVING THEIR HOME OR NEEDS ASSISTANCE TO DO SO; ABILITY TO PREPARE NUTRITIOUS MEALS AND SHOP FOR FOOD, THEIR NUTRITIONAL RISK, AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO THE SENIOR.CASE MANAGEMENT - FBS PROVIDES INDIVIDUAL ASSESSMENTS BY A TRAINED AND DEGREED CASE MANAGER TO DETERMINE SENIORS' NEEDS IN SOCIAL SERVICES, NUTRITION, AND HEALTH CARE. ONCE AN ASSESSMENT IS COMPLETED, FBS STAFF ARRANGE FOR THE APPROPRIATE SERVICES TO BE DELIVERED AND PROVIDE FOLLOW-UP REVIEWS TO ENSURE NEEDS ARE MET. THROUGH CASE MANAGEMENT, A PARTICIPANT IS ASSESSED FOR THE FOLLOWING SERVICES: HOME MEAL DELIVERY, NUTRITION EDUCATION, ASSESSMENT OF NEEDS, AND APPROPRIATE REFERRAL TO OTHER SERVICES. ASSESSMENTS WERE CONDUCTED VIA TELEPHONE RATHER THAN IN-PERSON FOR THE FIRST PART OF 2021 TO REDUCE POTENTIAL EXPOSURE OF THE COVID-19 VIRUS TO BOTH STAFF AND CLIENTS.HOME DELIVERED MEALS - THE MEALS MEET AT LEAST 1/3 OF THE RECOMMENDED DAILY ALLOWANCE OF NUTRIENTS REQUIRED BY ADULTS AT LEAST FIVE DAYS PER WEEK. SINCE THE PANDEMIC'S BEGINNING, FBS HAS PROVIDED SEVEN MEALS PER WEEK; THIS INCLUDES UP TO FIVE HOT, NUTRITIOUS MEALS MONDAY THRU FRIDAY AND TWO FROZEN MEALS DELIVERED FRIDAY FOR THE SATURDAY AND SUNDAY MEALS. FBS ALSO PROVIDES THE HOMEBOUND CLIENT WITH A FROZEN HOLIDAY MEAL ON OR BEFORE THE ACTUAL DAY OF THE HOLIDAY. DURING COVID DELIVERY PROTOCOLS, ALL CLIENTS WERE CONTACTED A MINIMUM OF 3 TIMES PER WEEK TO ENSURE THEY WERE HEALTHY, CONSUMING THEIR MEALS, AND HAD A MICROWAVE TO WARM THEIR MEALS. SENIORS INTERESTED IN RECEIVING SERVICES CAN CONTACT FORT BEND SENIORS' HEADQUARTERS AT 1-800-643-9654.EMERGENCY SHELF STABLE MEALS - EMERGENCY SHELF-STABLE MEALS ARE MEALS WITH A SHELF LIFE OF ONE YEAR THAT ARE DELIVERED TO SENIORS FOR USE WHEN HOME DELIVERY IS UNAVAILABLE DUE TO EMERGENCY WEATHER CONDITIONS. FBS PROVIDES FIVE EMERGENCY SHELF MEALS TO EACH CLIENT TO USE DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER WHEN THE AGENCY IS NOT ABLE TO MAKE A DELIVERY TO CLIENTS. VOLUNTEERS - VOLUNTEERS, PART-TIME STAFF DRIVERS, AND SITE COORDINATORS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DAILY DELIVERY OF THE MEALS. VOLUNTEER MEAL DELIVERIES REDUCE THE OPERATION COST FOR MEAL DELIVERY, ENABLING US TO PURCHASE MORE MEALS TO SERVE SENIORS. MEALS ARE DELIVERED DIRECTLY TO THE PARTICIPANTS OR AN AUTHORIZED CAREGIVER. THE MEALS ON WHEELS PROGRAM IS MORE THAN JUST A MEAL DELIVERY. THROUGH OUR TRAINED STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS, HOMEBOUND SENIORS RECEIVE A WARM SMILE AND A SAFETY CHECK TO HELP ENSURE THEY ARE WELL AND ANY OTHER NEEDS IDENTIFIED, SUCH AS NUTRITION EDUCATION, MAY BE ADDRESSED.HOME DELIVERED OUTCOMES: IN 2021, FBS DELIVERED 286,543 MEALS TO 1,569 HOMEBOUND ELIGIBLE SENIOR CITIZENS IN FORT BEND AND WALLER COUNTIES. EACH WEEK THE PANDEMIC CONTINUED; WE WELCOMED NEW SENIORS TO THE PROGRAM, MANY OF WHOM WERE FEARFUL OF LEAVING THEIR HOMES. OF THE 2,123 TOTAL CLIENTS SERVED (INCLUDING CONGREGATE PARTICIPANTS) THROUGHOUT 2021: -61 PERCENT LIVED ALONE OR WITH THEIR ELDERLY SPOUSE. -20 PERCENT WERE VETERANS OR SURVIVING SPOUSES OF VETERANS. -68 PERCENT REPRESENTED MINORITY POPULATIONS, WHICH ARE PRIMARILY AFRICAN AMERICAN AND HISPANIC.THROUGH OUR ANNUAL SATISFACTION SURVEY OF THE HOME DELIVERED MEAL CLIENTS, WE HAVE CONFIRMED THAT THE MEALS ON WHEELS PROGRAM 1) PROMOTES BETTER HEALTH FOR HOMEBOUND ELDERLY THROUGH IMPROVED NUTRITION AND 2) ALLEVIATES THE ISOLATION OF THE HOMEBOUND ELDERLY BY THE DAILY VISITS DURING MEAL DELIVERY.

SEE SCHEDULE OCONGREGATE/SENIOR CENTER PROGRAM - FORT BEND AND WALLER COUNTY: FORT BEND SENIORS' (FBS) CENTERS BEGAN REOPENING IN JUNE 2021 AS COVID NUMBERS DROPPED AND CLIENTS WERE VACCINATED. OUR PROGRAMS PROMOTE BETTER MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH FOR OLDER PEOPLE THROUGH NUTRITIOUS MEALS AND SOCIALIZATION. THE CONGREGATE NUTRITION SERVICE FUNCTIONS AS PART OF A SYSTEM OF SERVICES TO PROMOTE INDEPENDENT LIVING FOR THE ELDERLY BY SERVING AS A FOCAL POINT FOR SERVICES.CLIENT PARTICIPANTS MUST BE 60 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER. WHEN A CLIENT ENTERS THE PROGRAM, AN INTAKE AND NUTRITIONAL RISK SCREENING IS COMPLETED TO DETERMINE THE NUTRITIONAL RISK AND NEEDS OF THE PARTICIPANT, WHICH ENABLES THE STAFF TO ASSIST WITH IMPROVING THE PARTICIPANT'S HEALTH. THE PARTICIPANT IS ELIGIBLE TO CHOOSE TO PARTICIPATE IN ALL THE FOLLOWING SERVICES:CONGREGATE MEALS - CONGREGATE MEALS INCLUDE ONE HOT MEAL DAILY THAT MEETS AT LEAST 1/3 OF THE RECOMMENDED DAILY ALLOWANCE OF ALL NUTRIENTS REQUIRED BY ADULTS IN A GROUP SETTING. AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE MEALS ON WHEELS PROGRAM, FORT BEND SENIORS PROVIDES CONGREGATE MEALS FIVE DAYS PER WEEK AT 8 LOCATIONS IN FORT BEND AND WALLER COUNTIES. THE 8 SITE LOCATIONS PROVIDING SERVICES MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY ARE OPEN FROM 9 AM TO 12:30 PM. SENIORS INTERESTED IN RECEIVING SERVICES CAN VISIT THE FORT BEND SENIORS' SITE NEAREST THEM OR CONTACT FORT BEND SENIORS' HEADQUARTERS TOLL FREE AT 1-800-643-9654. RECREATION FBS PROVIDES DAILY RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR SENIORS WHO ATTEND THE CONGREGATE MEAL PROGRAM. A MONTHLY CALENDAR OF EVENTS IS OFFERED TO SENIORS OUTLINING UPCOMING RECREATIONAL AND SOCIAL PROGRAMS. ACTIVITIES INCLUDE FIELD TRIPS, ARTS AND CRAFTS, BINGO, EXERCISE, DANCING, AND HOLIDAY EVENTS, ALLOWING SENIORS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SOCIALIZE WITH THEIR PEERS REGULARLY. RESPITE CARE PROGRAM BEFORE THE PANDEMIC, A HALF-DAY PROGRAM WAS AVAILABLE FOR CLIENTS WITH BEGINNING TO MID-STAGES OF DEMENTIA (ALZHEIMER'S) TO ALLOW FAMILY MEMBERS A BREAK FROM CAREGIVING RESPONSIBILITIES WHILE THEIR LOVED ONES PARTICIPATE IN PLANNED ACTIVITIES SUCH AS GAMES, MUSIC, ARTS, CRAFTS, LUNCH, AND SOCIALIZATION. THE ANTICIPATED REOPENING DATE OF THIS VITAL SERVICE IS EARLY 2023. HEALTH SCREENINGS/NUTRITION EDUCATION - FBS PROVIDES VITAL HEALTH SCREENINGS FOR SENIORS AT THEIR CONGREGATE SITES. THE PROGRAM INCLUDES SCREENINGS FOR HEARING, VISION, DEPRESSION, AND OTHER SENIOR-RELATED HEALTH ISSUES ON AN ANNUAL BASIS. NUTRITION EDUCATION PROGRAMS ARE ALSO PROVIDED THROUGH THIS PROGRAM. THESE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED BY VOLUNTEERS THAT ARE PROFESSIONALS IN HEALTH SCREENINGS AND NUTRITIONAL COUNSELING. INFORMATION AND REFERRAL - FBS MAINTAINS A DATABASE RELATING TO SENIOR CLIENTS AND THEIR NEEDS. CRITICAL INFORMATION IS PROVIDED TO SENIORS NEEDING ADDITIONAL SERVICES, AND REFERRALS TO COLLABORATIVE AGENCIES ARE COORDINATED BY FBS STAFF.EMERGENCY SHELF STABLE MEALS - EMERGENCY SHELF-STABLE MEALS ARE MEALS WITH A SHELF LIFE OF ONE YEAR THAT ARE DELIVERED TO SENIORS FOR USE WHEN SITES ARE CLOSED DUE TO EMERGENCY WEATHER CONDITIONS. FBS PROVIDES 5 EMERGENCY SHELF MEALS TO EACH CLIENT TO USE DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER WHEN THE AGENCY CANNOT OPEN CONGREGATE CENTERS.CONGREGATE OUTCOMES: IN 2021, FORT BEND SENIORS PROVIDED 71,548 MEALS TO 554 CONGREGATE CLIENTS IN FORT BEND AND WALLER COUNTIES. THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAD FAR-REACHING EFFECTS ON OUR COMMUNITY, NOT THE LEAST OF WHICH WAS ON FBS CONGREGATE CENTER PARTICIPANTS. ALL CONGREGATE CENTER PARTICIPANTS WERE OFFERED HOME-DELIVERED MEALS AT NO CHARGE TO THEM THE MONTHS OUR CENTERS REMAINED CLOSED. WE BEGAN REOPENING IN JUNE 2021, WITH ALL CENTERS REOPENED BY AUGUST 2021.

SEE SCHEDULE OTRANSPORTATION - FORT BEND AND WALLER COUNTY: FORT BEND SENIORS (FBS) CONTRACTS WITH FORT BEND COUNTY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION TO PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION FOR OUR PARTICIPANTS IN THE CONGREGATE PROGRAM. THE VEHICLES ARE AIR-CONDITIONED, HANDICAPPED-ACCESSIBLE VANS. THE SERVICE IS DOOR-TO-DOOR, TRANSPORTING THE CLIENT FROM HOME TO THE NEAREST SENIOR CENTER AND RETURNING THE CLIENT HOME FOLLOWING PROGRAM ACTIVITIES. THESE RIDES WERE ONLY FOR PARTICIPANTS IN FORT BEND COUNTY CENTERS. WALLER COUNTY SERVICE IS PROVIDED THROUGH COLORADO VALLEY TRANSIT SERVICES AT NO COST TO THE CLIENT OR FBS.CLIENTS: INCLUDES SENIOR CITIZENS 60 YEARS OF AGE AND PARTICIPATING IN ONE OF THE CONGREGATE SENIOR CENTER MEALS PROGRAMS IN FORT BEND COUNTY. FBS MAINTAINS FILES CONTAINING INFORMATION THAT IDENTIFIES REGULAR PARTICIPANTS, DOCUMENTS ELIGIBILITY, AND INFORMATION ON EMERGENCY CONTACTS.UNIT OF SERVICE: A UNIT OF SERVICE IS A ONE-WAY TRIP PROVIDED TO AN ELIGIBLE PERSON FROM ONE LOCATION TO ANOTHER. EACH CLIENT IS ELIGIBLE FOR TWO UNITS OF SERVICE PER DAY. THE SERVICE IS PROVIDED FIVE DAYS PER WEEK (MONDAY-FRIDAY). TRANSPORTATION OUTCOMES: IN 2021, FBS PROVIDED 7,356 RIDES TO SENIOR PARTICIPANTS TO AND FROM CONGREGATE SENIOR CENTERS UNDER THE CONTRACT WITH FORT BEND COUNTY. A 43 PERCENT INCREASE IN RIDES OVER THE PRIOR YEAR DUE TO RE-OPENINGS OF THE CONGREGATE CENTERS NECESSITATED THE REINSTATEMENT OF TRANSPORT SERVICES. PARTICIPANTS WHO REQUIRED TRANSPORT FOR OTHER PERSONAL NEEDS COULD ALSO BOOK ON-DEMAND TRANSPORTATION SEPARATE FROM FBS.