Meals on Wheels in Austin, Texas has gone through a number of changes in recent years. First was a name change from Meals on Wheels and More to Meals on Wheels Central Texas. This, according to the company, was in response to its growing list of services and support to a larger portion of the region. The company then acquired HAND, or Helping the Aging, Needy and Disabled. This allowed them to begin providing in home health care services to their clients, and add more clients to those who rely on their services. The group has almost 400 clients now and with the inclusion of HAND, they provide a wide range of services, including assisting with daily activities. These can include bathing, getting dressed, preparing meals, running errands to the stores, and anything else aging clients might require. This allows the elderly and disabled to remain as independent as possible and still manage their daily lives with that extra help. As reported by My Statesman, from Austin American-Statesman, by James Barragan in the blog, Meals on Wheels acquires in-home health care nonprofit: “Our mission is to keep people in their homes as long as they can stay in their homes,” said Dan Pruett, president and CEO of Meals on Wheels Central Texas. “They want dignity and independence.” Before adding HAND to its operations, Meals on Wheels Central Texas was servicing 5,000 clients throughout the region, helping by bringing meals to those who needed it, assisting with some basic home repairs, and even helping with pet care. Mr. Pruett added: “Most of Meals on Wheels’ clients are low-income, so when they go into assisted living it costs taxpayers an estimated $37,000 a year or more per person, the group said. But through its mix of services, which is now bolstered by its offering of in-home care, Meals on Wheels can help keep those people in their homes for 10 percent of what it would cost for them to go to assisted living.” Meals on Wheels Central Texas managed to acquire HAND thanks to a grant from the St. David’s Foundation in the amount of $264,980. HAND will continue to be operated as its own independent entity, but will be controlled by Meals on Wheels. The services provided by HAND will be added to the list of services Meals on Wheels Central Texas provides to its aging population. Valerie is a Registered Nurse, Author, and Co-Owner of LTC Expert Publications. Read More at http://www.LTCSocialMark.com
After its acquisition of Helping the Aging Needy and Disabled (HAND), Meals on Wheels Central Texas now offers assistance services, including helping clients get dressed, preparing meals, running errands to stores alongside other chores. Prior to the acquisition, Meals on Wheels Central Texas serviced 5,000 clients regionally, including services such as basic home repair and pet care. “Through its mix of services, which is now bolstered by its offering of in-home care, Meals on Wheels can help keep those people in their homes for 10% of what it would cost for them to go to assisted living,” said the company’s CEO.