The Dutchess County Office For The Aging prepares hot meals which are delivered to homebound seniors five days a week (Mon-Fri). The Home Delivered Meals Program allows seniors to remain in their homes and also provides them with daily socialization with the delivery person. Home visit assessments are made by personnel from the Nutrition Program to determine each person's eligibility. The Office for the Aging’s Home Delivered Meals program operates five days a week (Monday - Friday).
Frozen and/or shelf-stable meals are also available when circumstances warrant.
For more information, call 486-2555 or email nbhargava@dutchessny.gov.
Volunteers deliver meals to homebound seniors countywide every weekday, and also serve as a second set of eyes to check on seniors' well-being. We can work with your schedule, and mileage is reimbursed for HDM drivers using their personal vehicles to make deliveries. To learn more about volunteering as an HDM driver, email nbhargava@dutchessny.gov, or call 845-486-2545.
Click here for a printable volunteer application (.pdf)
Several Meals on Wheels organizations operate in Dutchess County. Days of service and fees vary for each organization. Contact them directly at:
Shelf-stable box meals and frozen meals are some of the other offerings from the Dutchess County Office For The Aging. They're designed to provide for the special needs of the senior citizen population.
Frozen and shelf-stable meals allow meals to be delivered for more than one day at a time in difficult to reach locations. They also provide assurances that those in the program will not go hungry in the event of inclement weather.
Many area supermarkets offer a food delivery service where customers order online and their order is delivered, for a fee. This service may not be available in all areas of Dutchess County.
Click here for a printable summary of meal delivery options available in Dutchess County (PDF)
Related: Food Safety for Older Adults - The FoodSafety.gov has 4 basic rules when preparing foods at home that will help keep you safe: Clean, Separate, Cook and Chill.
